Empresarios prevén un ‘empobrecimiento general’ para 2026 causado por el aumento de 23% al salario mínimo
El empresariado alertó que los más perjudicados serían los que trabajan en el sector informal. Foto: iStock
TL;DR
- The Andi criticized the government's 23.7% minimum wage increase for 2026, calling it "a great surprise" and unrelated to macroeconomic variables.
- The guild warned of negative impacts on inflation, formal employment, and the real incomes of vulnerable households.
- Andi stated the increase is disproportionate to inflation (5.3% accumulated by Nov 2025) and GDP growth (2.9% projected for 2025).
- While benefiting about two million formal workers, the increase will negatively affect over 11.3 million informal workers who earn below the minimum wage, increasing their cost of living without a salary raise.
- The Andi described the wage hike as "a populist and irresponsible measure" that will lead to "great impoverishment" due to inflation.
- The association also criticized the government's economic emergency decree, new taxes, and lack of public spending reduction, noting a significant increase in public debt.
- Andi warned that these government measures could lead to legal instability and erode investor confidence, resulting in higher interest rates for Colombia.