Bogotá — May 27, 2026 — More than 30 representatives from workers’ organisations, companies, and public institutions in Colombia’s coffee, banana, and palm oil sectors have completed the RURALIA diploma programme on living wages and incomes, promoted by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The 100‑hour programme combined in‑person, virtual, and asynchronous sessions, equipping participants with knowledge on wage determinants, remuneration mechanisms, wage gaps, collective bargaining, and working time. The training aimed to strengthen technical capacities and promote evidence‑based social dialogue to advance living wages in agricultural supply chains linked to European markets.
The closing session in Santa Marta included field visits to banana and palm oil companies, offering participants first‑hand insights into production dynamics and wage practices. Visits to the Nueva Esperanza farm and GREMCA highlighted how remuneration mechanisms and collective bargaining can improve working conditions and productivity.
Union representatives praised the initiative, noting that even small‑scale producers strive to provide decent wages, while collective agreements in the palm oil sector demonstrated how workers and companies can prosper together.
The diploma forms part of the ILO’s project “Setting living wages/incomes in agriculture”, which promotes technical cooperation and social dialogue at regional and sectoral levels. By fostering equitable and sustainable supply chains, the programme contributes to the principles of decent work and strengthens Colombia’s agricultural sector.
