Minimum wage
Colombia's February unemployment rate drops to 9.2%
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Dane reported Colombia's February 2026 unemployment rate at 9.2%, the lowest for any February since 2001, with 2.45 million unemployed people. Occupied population rose to 24.09 million, up 624,000 from February 2025. President Gustavo Petro and Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino hailed the figures and defended the minimum wage increase.
A new survey reveals that Brazilian workers dedicate an average of 40.1 hours per week to paid work, below the global average of 42.7 hours. The analysis, based on data from 160 countries, shows Brazil in lower positions in rankings adjusted for productivity, demographics, and taxes. Brazilian women, in particular, are approaching the world standard, especially among the youngest.
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The Council of State provisionally suspended the decree setting a 23.7% minimum wage increase for 2026, but the government and labor representatives seek to maintain it. President Gustavo Petro called for a national mobilization on February 19 to defend the vital wage. Fenalco warned of risks to over 700,000 formal jobs.
Amid debates between workers, employers, and the government over the 2026 minimum wage adjustment, Neivans share their views. Proposals range from 16% by unions to 7.21% by business groups, as the labor minister seeks consensus to curb inflationary effects.