Colombia has increased the pay surcharge for employees working on Sundays and holidays and reduced the maximum legal weekly work hours.
These changes represent a significant shift in the nation's labor landscape, aimed at improving worker compensation and promoting a better balance between professional and personal life.
Effective July 1, 2026, the surcharge for work performed on Sundays and holidays rose from 80% to 90% [1]. This adjustment is part of a phased implementation of Law 2466, the 2025 labor reform. The legislation intends to further increase this surcharge to 100% by July 2027 [1].
In addition to the pay increase, the government is reducing the amount of time employees are required to work. Starting July 15, 2026, the maximum legal weekly workweek will drop from 44 hours to 42 hours [1].
The reform targets a broad range of employees, including those who regularly work overtime, or are assigned to shifts during weekends and public holidays. By lowering the standard workweek and increasing the cost of holiday labor, the state seeks to modernize the employment framework to align with contemporary labor standards.
The phased approach to these changes allows businesses to adjust their payroll and scheduling systems. The reduction in hours is expected to impact various sectors of the economy, from industrial manufacturing to service industries, as companies restructure their operational hours to comply with the new 42-hour limit [1].
“The surcharge for work on Sundays and holidays rose from 80% to 90% on 1 July 2026.”
The implementation of Law 2466 signals a transition toward a shorter workweek and higher costs for non-standard labor hours in Colombia. By incrementally raising holiday pay and reducing the legal work limit, the government is placing more financial pressure on employers to optimize productivity while granting workers more leisure time and higher compensation for weekend labor.
