The Colombian labor law system applies across the country and is contained in various laws issued by the Colombian Congress. The Substantive Labor Code, in turn, is the primary source of labor law and is divided into the individual system and the collective system.

The individual system regulates contract types, salaries, working hours, mandatory breaks and employer contributions, among other aspects. One of its main elements is the regulation of employment contracts, through which relationships are created between employees and employers, involving 3 elements: the personal provision of a service, a salary, and a hierarchical relationship. 

The collective system regulates trade unions, collective labor disputes, agreements, collective pacts and union contracts. Associations of this type must meet requirements in order to be formed and operate.

Take into account: 

• Normal working hours cannot exceed 8 hours per day, or 48 hours per week. 
• Employee trial periods cannot last longer than two months. 
• Paid vacations amount to a rest period of 3 working weeks for each year of service.