Colombia cuts work week to 42 hours and adds July 13 holiday

Effective 16 July 2026, Colombia will complete the phased reduction of the maximum work week from 44 to 42 hours under Law 2101 of 2021. The new limit applies to eight‑hour days, distributed over five or six days, with a mandatory rest day. Hourly pay rates are adjusted accordingly, while overtime remains capped at two hours per day and 12 hours per week. The reform does not apply to public‑sector employees, independent contractors, the armed forces, minors, or workers in hazardous conditions.

A separate law, Law 2578 of 2026, creates a new national holiday on 13 July 2026 (the transferred celebration of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá). The holiday remains in effect despite a pending constitutional challenge, and employers must treat it as a paid day off or compensate workers who work that day.

In August 2026 the government will issue a decree to regulate part‑time or hourly work, allowing proportional social‑security contributions for workers in micro‑enterprises, domestic service, and informal sectors. A draft decree for professional football also proposes a 42‑hour weekly ceiling, mandatory contracts, and equal pay measures for players and technical staff.

These measures together reshape Colombia’s labour market, affecting most private‑sector employees and many employers nationwide.