Colombia's Council of State revoked a provisional suspension of the decree that increased the national minimum wage for 2026 [1].
This decision ensures that the wage hike remains in effect for workers while the court continues to resolve the underlying legal challenges regarding the decree's validity [1].
The ruling came from the Second Section of the Council of State, which handles the government's labor and pension matters [2]. The court acted after the national government, led by President Gustavo Petro, filed a plea for reconsideration against a previous suspension [1], [2].
Reports on the exact percentage of the increase vary between sources. Some records state the increase is 23% [1], while others cite a figure of 23.7% [3]. The court's decision effectively clears the path for the implementation of Decree 1469 of 2025 [3].
Under the current restored guidelines, the monthly minimum wage stands at 1,750,905 pesos [4]. This amount will remain the standard for employees while the judicial process determines the final legality of the increase [4].
"The decision was adopted by the magistrates of the Second Section, which knows the labor and pension affairs of the State," the magistrates said [2].
The legal battle began with a suspension order issued Feb. 12, 2024, but the current revocation announced this month restores the government's ability to maintain the higher pay scale [3], [1].
“The court's decision effectively clears the path for the implementation of Decree 1469 of 2025.”
The restoration of the wage increase provides immediate financial relief to Colombian workers and stabilizes the payroll for the 2026 fiscal period. By revoking the provisional suspension, the Council of State has prioritized the continuity of the wage hike over the potential for future retroactive adjustments, though the final legality of the decree remains subject to the court's ultimate ruling.
