Labor Department reports workweek drops to 46 hours

July 15, 2024 – Starting Monday, July 15, 2024, Colombian workers will have their working hours reduced again, the Ministry of Labor announced.

The measure will reduce extra working hours to 46 hours per week and 230 hours per month.

According to the entity, the decision was established in Law No. 2101 of July 15, 2021, which provides for a gradual reduction of the working day in 2025 and 2026, from an initial 48-hour week to 42 hours in the future.

“The law also does not affect or modify shorter working hours for workers with special schedules, such as minors who work under an employment contract and with permission from the Ministry of Labor,” the Ministry of Labor explained.

He stressed that the reduction in the maximum working day reflected on July 16 does not mean a reduction in wages or benefit compensation, nor in the value of normal working hours.

“The law amends Article 161 of the Substantive Labour Code to set the maximum working hours per normal working week at 42 hours. Currently, it refers to a 47-hour working day,” he said.

The Ministry of Labor said that this change will continue to be gradual, considering that after one hour on July 16, 2023; from July 16, 2024, it will be 46 hours; by July 16, 2025, working hours are expected to reach 44 hours, and finally, from July 16, 2026, the maximum working hours per week will reach 42 hours.

“It does not hurt employers who wish to take advantage of the standard proposed reduction in the maximum working day early, bearing in mind that a reduction in working hours does not mean a reduction in wages,” he said.

He pointed out that Law No. 2101 of 2021 refers to the maximum working day for private sector workers, that is, natural persons who have an employment contract with a private company, and does not apply to civil servants, with the exception of those working in state-owned companies whose labor relations are governed by the Substantive Labor Code.

“This law brings Colombia closer to international standards and the recommendations of the International Labour Organization, it will provide more free time for workers and increase productivity in companies,” he said.

Juan Manuel Guerrero, a labor expert at Guerrero & Asociados, said the 46 hours a week could be spread over a maximum of six days a week, with one day off.

“Any work over 46 hours per week must be paid for extra work or overtime,” he said.

He said the measure had been implemented year after year as workers and employers adapted.

“Since 2021, Colombia has been struggling to adjust and improve employees’ working hours, which requires the national government to take responsibility and propose labor reforms so as not to further increase the costs of formal employment, a situation that could undermine formal employability and exacerbate the country’s informality problem,” he pointed out.