All About the Workday Reduction in Colombia

Labor and Employment attorney Camilo Cuervo was featured in an interview with El Tiempo on the 42-hour workweek taking effect as of July 15, 2026, in Colombia, in compliance with Law 2101 of 2021 that progressively reduced the workweek from 48 hours without affecting wages or social benefits. Mr. Cuervo explained that the change applies to all workers with formal employment contracts, but not to independent contractors under service provision orders, and clarified that management, trust and direction employees have no statutory hour cap regardless of their salary. He noted that the hourly rate has increased approximately 18 percent since 2023 and work performed beyond 42 hours per week generates surcharges of 25 percent for daytime hours and 75 percent for nighttime hours. In cases of noncompliance, workers may claim payment before a judge, and the Ministry of Labor may impose administrative fines. Finally, the interview addressed the weekly calculation of hours versus monthly salary payments, special work schedules in sectors such as bars, restaurants and security, and the proportional reduction for minors with work permits.

Duration: 17:43