La desnaturalización del contrato de prestación de servicios en el sector público y sus efectos en el reconocimiento de derechos laborales y de seguridad social en Colombia
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Fecha
2026
Autores
Berbesi Medina, Jenyffer
Ayala Bayona, Karla Juliana
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
La investigación examina los efectos jurídicos y prestacionales derivados de la desnaturalización del contrato de prestación de servicios en el sector público colombiano.
Aunque esta figura fue concebida para actividades temporales y sin subordinación, en la práctica se ha utilizado para cubrir funciones permanentes y misionales, generando relaciones laborales encubiertas y vulneración de derechos laborales y de seguridad social. Para 2024, se registraron más de 161.000 contratistas bajo esta modalidad, con alta concentración en entidades territoriales y significativos impactos fiscales.
El objetivo central es analizar este fenómeno y la aplicación del principio de primacía de la realidad como mecanismo de protección de derechos. Específicamente, se estudian los
criterios normativos y jurisprudenciales que delimitan el contrato, las consecuencias jurídicas de su uso indebido y su tensión con los principios de mérito y carrera administrativa. La metodología corresponde a un enfoque cualitativo, bajo paradigma interpretativo y diseño documental-analítico, con revisión sistemática de fuentes normativas y jurisprudenciales entre 1997 y 2025.
Los resultados evidencian el uso generalizado del contrato para suplir necesidades permanentes, configurando subordinación y continuidad. La jurisprudencia ha reconocido
reiteradamente el “contrato realidad”. Se concluye que el fenómeno vulnera derechos fundamentales y afecta la sostenibilidad fiscal, requiriendo reformas estructurales que
fortalezcan la carrera administrativa y dignifiquen el empleo público.
The research examines the legal and benefit-related effects arising from the misuse of service provision contracts in the Colombian public sector. Although this contractual modality was legally designed for temporary, specialized activities without subordination, in practice it has been widely used to perform permanent and core governmental functions. This has led to disguised employment relationships and systematic violations of labor and social security rights. By 2024, more than 161,000 contractors were linked under this scheme, particularly within territorial entities, generating significant fiscal implications. The main objective is to analyze this phenomenon and the application of the principle of primacy of reality as a mechanism for protecting labor rights. Specifically, the study reviews the normative and jurisprudential criteria defining the contract, the legal consequences of its improper use, and its tension with constitutional principles such as merit and career-based public service. The methodology follows a qualitative approach under an interpretative paradigm, using a documentary and analytical design based on systematic review of legal and judicial sources between 1997 and 2025. The findings reveal the generalized use of service contracts to meet permanent staffing needs, characterized by subordination and continuity. Constitutional jurisprudence has repeatedly recognized the existence of “de facto employment contracts.” The study concludes that this practice undermines fundamental rights and fiscal sustainability, requiring structural reforms to strengthen public career systems and ensure dignified working conditions.
The research examines the legal and benefit-related effects arising from the misuse of service provision contracts in the Colombian public sector. Although this contractual modality was legally designed for temporary, specialized activities without subordination, in practice it has been widely used to perform permanent and core governmental functions. This has led to disguised employment relationships and systematic violations of labor and social security rights. By 2024, more than 161,000 contractors were linked under this scheme, particularly within territorial entities, generating significant fiscal implications. The main objective is to analyze this phenomenon and the application of the principle of primacy of reality as a mechanism for protecting labor rights. Specifically, the study reviews the normative and jurisprudential criteria defining the contract, the legal consequences of its improper use, and its tension with constitutional principles such as merit and career-based public service. The methodology follows a qualitative approach under an interpretative paradigm, using a documentary and analytical design based on systematic review of legal and judicial sources between 1997 and 2025. The findings reveal the generalized use of service contracts to meet permanent staffing needs, characterized by subordination and continuity. Constitutional jurisprudence has repeatedly recognized the existence of “de facto employment contracts.” The study concludes that this practice undermines fundamental rights and fiscal sustainability, requiring structural reforms to strengthen public career systems and ensure dignified working conditions.
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Palabras clave
Contrato de prestación de servicios, Primacía de la realidad, Derechos laborales, Sector público, Seguridad social
