Colombia slashes wages for its legislators

Colombia’s President Takes Bold Step to Reduce Congress Members’ Wages

In a move to address the country’s budget constraints and ahead of upcoming elections, Colombia’s president has announced a significant reduction in wages for members of Congress. The decision will see a decrease of approximately 30% in their salaries.

Last year, Congress members in Colombia were earning around $13,000 per month, a figure that was significantly higher than the nation’s minimum wage by a factor of 32.

The disparity in earnings between legislators and the average Colombian citizen has long been a point of contention, with calls for wage reductions coming from various quarters. However, previous attempts to lower salaries were unsuccessful, as lawmakers argued that the high wages were necessary for various purposes, including funding future political campaigns.

With the recent decree, President Gustavo Petro has eliminated a portion of the legislators’ wages known as the “bonus for special services.” This move will bring their monthly earnings down to approximately $9,400, a significant shift in a country where most workers earn far less.

The government justified the wage reduction by stating that the current salaries were disproportionate to the average income in the country and the economic reality of Colombia. The measure will take effect after the new Congress is elected in July, following the upcoming legislative and presidential elections in March and May, respectively.

While some members of Congress welcomed the decision as a step towards equity, others criticized it as a punitive measure by the president. The government’s recent economic emergency decree, allowing for tax increases without congressional approval, has also stirred controversy.

Overall, the government aims to boost its budget by $4 billion this year to address various financial obligations and invest in critical infrastructure. President Petro’s administration has seen a significant increase in public spending, surpassing levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.