Salary for Colombian Maid or Domestic Worker

Learn more about the salary and benefits you have to pay your Colombian maid or domestic worker, otherwise known as an empleada doméstica. Avoid penalties!

More and more families are in need of a domestic worker in their homes. For this reason, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your obligations as an employer when entering into such contracts.

Firstly, it should be established that a domestic service worker is an individual who, in exchange for payment, provides personal services directly, regularly, and under continuous subordination or dependence, to perform tasks such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, ironing, child care (nannies), and other household duties for the employer.

Types of Domestic Work

Different modalities of a domestic worker include:

1. Live-In Workers (Internas): Those who reside at the place of work.
2. Live-Out Workers (Externos): Those who do not reside at the place of work.
3. Part-Time Domestic Workers (Trabajadoras domésticas por días): Those who do not live at the place of work and only work a few days a week, either for one or multiple employers. Regardless of the type of arrangement with your domestic worker, they can be bound by an employment contract, whether written or verbal, for a fixed or indefinite term.

Salary and Benefits paid to a Colombian maid or domestic worker

Now, let’s establish the labor rights that domestic workers have:

• Salary Payment.
• Transportation Allowance: If the worker lives at the place of service, they are not entitled to this payment.
• Bonus Payment: Equivalent to 15 days of salary, paid in two periods:
  • Before June 30.
  • Before December 20.
• Vacation: Equivalent to 15 working days of paid rest after one year of service.
• Severance Pay (Cesantías).
• Severance Pay Interest (Intereses de Cesantías).
• Uniform and Shoe Allowances (Dotaciones):
• Enrollment to the Comprehensive Social Security System:
  • EPS – Health System (only if the worker is live-in, interna).
  • Pension.
  • Occupational Hazards (ARL).
  • Compensation Fund (Caja de compensación).

While complying with all legal requirements may involve a higher financial investment, it is important to remember that facing a legal claim from domestic employees or paying fines can be much more expensive. Therefore, it is crucial to view these costs as an investment in peace of mind and the construction of a fairer society. These laws apply to everyone whether they rent or own an apartment or home.

If you need more information on how to create an employment contract, calculate your domestic worker’s end-of-year bonuses and vacations, and manage other payments to your domestic worker, feel free to contact lawyer, Astrid Hamburger at the contact information below:

• WhatsApp: +57 302 379 6370
• email: astridhamburger.legal@gmail.com
• Facebook: Legal & Concierge Services