Colombia has a population of roughly 50 million people,[1] with one fifth of the population living in rural areas[2] and the remaining 80% living in urban areas[3]. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up just over 6% of the country’s GDP[4], with 16.6% of the total workforce employed in the agricultural sector.[5] As of 2018, 28% of Colombia's population lives under the established World Bank poverty line of $5.50 a day.[6] In addition, Colombia ranked among one of the top 10 worst countries for workers in 2019 on the ITUC Global Rights Index.[7]
It is estimated that there are 2.7 million farmers in rural Colombia and that approximately 45% of them, mostly small and medium farmers, live in poverty. A large majority of small farms not only function as subsistence farms, but also play an important role in Colombia’s total national agricultural output.[8] Many small farms in Colombia are located in the countryside, which contributes to low technology transfer and limited access to market. Coupled with long-lasting armed conflict, these barriers have made the development of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector a key focus in reinforcing food security in Colombia for many years. [9]
The top produced commodities in Colombia are sugar cane, fresh cow milk, palm oil fruit, potatoes and rice.[10] Colombia’s top export products in terms of quantity are bananas, green coffee, palm oil, refined sugar and raw sugar.[11]
- ^ World Bank. (2018). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=CO
- ^ World Bank. (2018). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=CO
- ^ World Bank. (2018). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=CO
- ^ World Bank. (2018). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=CO
- ^ World Bank. (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=CO
- ^ World Bank. (2018). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.UMIC?locations=CO
- ^ ITUC Global Rights Index. (2019). https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/2019-06-ituc-global-rights-index-2019-report-en-2.pdf
- ^ CGIAR. (2018). Boosting Agriculture as Key to Lasting Peace in Colombia. https://ciat.cgiar.org/annual-report-2017-2018/boosting-agriculture-as-key-to-lasting-peace-in-colombia/
- ^ CGIAR. (2018). Boosting Agriculture as Key to Lasting Peace in Colombia. https://ciat.cgiar.org/annual-report-2017-2018/boosting-agriculture-as-key-to-lasting-peace-in-colombia/
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Colombia is 1,300,606 Colombian Pesos (258 EUR) per month, including a transport allowance f 140,606 (28 EUR).[1] By law, the maximum duration of a normal working day is 8 hrs a day or 48 hrs a week. For those workingless than normal working hours, minimum wage will apply in proportion to number of hrs actually worked.
Living wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a Living Wage benchmark for the Caribbean coast of Colombia based on the Anker methodology, focusing on the banana sector.
The estimated living wage for a family of 4 with roughly 1.6 workers is 1,823,372 Colombian Pesos (403 EUR) per month.[2] This benchmark is focussed on banana growing, coastal regions of Northern Colombia.[3] Many banana workers currently receive a living wage, or close to it, especially unionized workers covered by collective bargaining agreements. Since bananas are harvested year-round, providing consistent workloads, most of the workers have indefinite contracts and high job security. Even so, it is important to pay attention to the payment system. Workers are not paid for the time worked but for the task completed which can lead to significant fluctuations in daily wages.[4]
- ^ WageIndicator Foundation. (2023). https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/colombia
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition. (2022) Living Wage Update: May 2021. Caribbean Coast of Colombia https://www.globallivingwage.org/countries/colombia/
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition. (2020). https://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LW-Report_Colombia_2019_en.pdf
- ^ World Bank. (2017). Colombian rural women are building peace. https://blogs.worldbank.org/latinamerica/colombian-rural-women-are-building-peace