Labor and wage negotiations intensify across Latin America

Labor negotiations and wage discussions are unfolding across several Latin American nations. In the Dominican Republic, union leaders have expressed willingness to engage in dialogue regarding labor code reforms, provided that discussions regarding severance pay (cesantía) are excluded, as they consider the matter settled. Both labor representatives and business groups, such as Copardom, have noted they are awaiting formal invitations to resume tripartite talks.

In Colombia, the Consejo Gremial Nacional has called for the upcoming minimum wage determination to be based strictly on technical criteria, including inflation, productivity, and economic behavior. The group supports fiscal adjustment measures but warns that wage increases exceeding technical parameters could strain public finances and impact interest rates.

In Guatemala, the National Salary Commission (CNS) is set to review reports from parity commissions following a lack of consensus between labor and employer sectors regarding the 2027 minimum wage.

In Argentina, reports highlight economic challenges including household over-indebtedness and job losses, while the trucking union (Camioneros) has finalized a semiannual wage increase of 9.9%. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the Patria System has initiated a new cycle of direct payments to various sectors, including retirees and public employees.