CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't let your EST's guarantee bond reach January without an update
A Colombian temp agency (EST) takes out its guarantee bond for the calendar year, 1 January to 31 December, and readjusts it yearly in line with the minimum wage (Article 2.2.6.5.17 of Decreto 1072 de 2015). If it is not updated within the month after the minimum wage is set, the authorisation is suspended.
A temporary staffing agency (Empresa de Servicios Temporales, EST) is one that contracts with third-party beneficiaries to collaborate temporarily in their activities through the work of natural persons hired directly by the EST, which is their employer (Article 2.2.6.5.2 of Decreto 1072 de 2015). ESTs must take out a guarantee bond with an insurance company legally established in Colombia, in favour of the assigned workers (trabajadores en misión), to secure payment of their wages, social benefits and compensation if the EST becomes illiquid; the bond must be deposited with the Ministry of Labour (Article 2.2.6.5.11) and is one of the documents for the operating-authorisation application (Article 2.2.6.5.7(5)).
The bond's minimum amount is set in legal monthly minimum wages and must be updated every year on the basis of changes to the minimum wage. The competent official of the Ministry of Labour's regional directorate orders the EST, by reasoned administrative act, to readjust the bond according to a table that rises with the number of assigned workers, counting those of the head office and of the branches (Article 2.2.6.5.17 and paragraph 1). The bond is taken out for one year, meaning the period from 1 January to 31 December; accordingly, the first bond must be updated during January of the year after the resolution authorising the agency to operate (Article 2.2.6.5.17, paragraph 2).
Contracts between the EST and the user company are always in writing and state the insurer's name, the bond number, its term and its amount (Article 2.2.6.5.8). The bond is called at the request of the assigned workers when the EST is illiquid, which is presumed, among other cases, if it fails to pay two or more consecutive wage periods, is more than forty-five days late with social security contributions or enters a debt-restructuring agreement; the competent official declares the loss and orders the insurer to pay on the basis of the labour inspector's calculations (Article 2.2.6.5.18). The regional directorates demand and hold the bond on deposit and order its readjustment according to the previous year's movement of assigned workers shown in the statistical reports (Article 2.2.6.5.19(3) and (4)).
At a glance
| Who must have it | Every authorised temporary staffing agency (Articles 2.2.6.5.7(5) and 2.2.6.5.11 of Decreto 1072 de 2015) |
|---|---|
| In whose favour | The assigned workers: wages, social benefits and compensation if the EST becomes illiquid (Article 2.2.6.5.11) |
| Term | One year, from 1 January to 31 December (Article 2.2.6.5.17, paragraph 2) |
| Update | Yearly, based on changes to the minimum wage; the first one in January of the year after authorisation (Article 2.2.6.5.17) |
| Amount | Minimum set in legal monthly minimum wages, scaled by the number of assigned workers, including those at branches (Article 2.2.6.5.17 and paragraph 1) |
| Where it is deposited | Regional directorate of the Ministry of Labour (Articles 2.2.6.5.11 and 2.2.6.5.19(3)) |
| If not updated | Suspension of the operating authorisation (Article 2.2.6.5.21(1)); repeat offence: cancellation (Article 2.2.6.5.22(1)) |
| Details in contracts | Insurer, bond number, term and amount in every contract with a user company (Article 2.2.6.5.8) |
Who is responsible?
The temporary staffing agency, through its legal representative, who files the authorisation application with the bond at the Ministry of Labour's regional directorate for the head office (Article 2.2.6.5.7 of Decreto 1072 de 2015) and must update and send the bond every year (Articles 2.2.6.5.17 and 2.2.6.5.21(1)). The regional directorate demands it, holds it on deposit, orders its readjustment and calls it in case of illiquidity (Article 2.2.6.5.19(3) and (4)).
If the deadline passes
The Ministry of Labour's regional directorate suspends the operating authorisation of an EST that does not update and send the guarantee bond within the month after the legal monthly minimum wage is set or after the resolution ordering its adjustment becomes final (Article 2.2.6.5.21(1) of Decreto 1072 de 2015). A repeat of the suspension events leads to cancellation of the authorisation, as does a suspension lasting more than six consecutive months without the legal representative showing an interest in resuming the service (Article 2.2.6.5.22(1) and (5)). The Ministry of Labour also imposes successive daily fines, for as long as the breach lasts, on an EST that provides its services in breach of the rules governing the activity, where no heavier sanction applies (Article 2.2.6.5.20(4), as amended by Decreto 2642 de 2022).
The clock starts when the minimum wage is set
The bond's year is always the calendar year (Article 2.2.6.5.17, paragraph 2, of Decreto 1072 de 2015), but the deadline to update and send it runs from the setting of the minimum wage or from the date the adjustment resolution becomes final (Article 2.2.6.5.21(1)). Have the renewal ready with your insurer before the end of December.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add the EST (and, if you prefer, each branch whose assigned workers count towards the amount) as a record and enter 31 December, the end of the bond year, as the expiry date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, so the first one arrives in early November, in time to get renewal quotes and prepare the assigned-worker figures.
- Whoever handles the insurance can upload the updated bond and the filing receipt from the regional directorate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then move the date on to the next 31 December.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the legal representative or your administration team; if the year ends without an updated bond, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the guarantee bond last?
- One year: the bond year is the period from 1 January to 31 December (Article 2.2.6.5.17, paragraph 2, of Decreto 1072 de 2015).
- When is it updated?
- Every year, based on changes to the legal monthly minimum wage; the first bond is updated during January of the year after the resolution authorising the agency to operate (Article 2.2.6.5.17 of Decreto 1072 de 2015). An EST that does not update and send it within the month after the minimum wage is set or the adjustment resolution becomes final faces suspension (Article 2.2.6.5.21(1)).
- How is the amount calculated?
- The minimum is set in legal monthly minimum wages and the regional directorate orders its readjustment according to a table that depends on the number of assigned workers, counting those at the head office and at the branches (Article 2.2.6.5.17 and paragraph 1 of Decreto 1072 de 2015).
- Where is the bond deposited?
- With the Ministry of Labour (Article 2.2.6.5.11 of Decreto 1072 de 2015); the regional directorates demand it and hold it on deposit (Article 2.2.6.5.19(3)).
- What happens if I do not update the bond?
- The regional directorate suspends the EST's operating authorisation (Article 2.2.6.5.21(1) of Decreto 1072 de 2015); on a repeat offence, it cancels it (Article 2.2.6.5.22(1)).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for temporary staffing agency guarantee bond (EST) (Colombia)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each temporary staffing agency guarantee bond (EST) (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each temporary staffing agency guarantee bond (EST) (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.