The Minister of Labor, Antonio Sanguino, announced this Monday, February 16, that, after an extraordinary session of the Concertation Commission, it was agreed to maintain the 23.7% increase in the transitional decree of the minimum wage, so it would once again remain at two million pesos with transportation assistance included.

The meeting, called by instruction of President Gustavo Petro, was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Labor with the participation of businessmen, labor unions and representatives of the National Government.

According to Sanguino, both the business sector and the unions expressed their majority support for maintaining the effects of the decree that established the minimum wage at $2 million.

“On the business side, there is a majority opinion in favor of the fact that it would be wrong to issue a decree that modifies the 23.7% increase that is in force today.”stated the head of the labor portfolio after finishing the session.

The minister explained that the main argument for maintaining the percentage was the need to preserve economic stability.

“The living wage has already been incorporated into business dynamics and into the income and expenses of the families that benefit”said Sanguino, warning that modifying the figure could negatively impact the planning of both companies and households.

This transitional decree was ordered by the Council of State last Friday, after it provisionally suspended the document issued in December 2025 and signed by President Petro, in which the increase for 2026 was made official. The highest court gave the National Government a period of eight days to announce the temporary measure while it makes a substantive decision on the case.

Also read: In Medellin! Colombia shines in the debut of the Artistic Swimming World Cup and touches the podium

The Council of State established that the temporary decree “it must fully apply the current legal and constitutional criteria” and “contain a detailed and verifiable economic foundation.”

As support, the labor confederations supported the decision to maintain the 23.7% and described it as “an acquired, legal and constitutional right.”

Fabio Arias, president of the CUT, declared: “We are going to defend this 23.7% decree, today we defended it. This is already an acquired and recognized right. This decree is legal and constitutional in the legal framework of the country. “The Council of State is wrong.”

However, concerns persist from the business sector. Fenalco has warned about the risks of maintaining the 23.7% increase, pointing out that up to 700,000 jobs could be lost due to the impact on the payroll of companies, especially small and medium-sized ones.

Sanguino reiterated that the Executive will comply with what was ordered by the high court and that “the Government will issue the transitional decree” this same week.

The discussion on the minimum wage continues to develop while the country awaits the official issuance of the transitional decree and the final decision of the Council of State on the legality of the increase initially established by the National Government.

More news from Colombia