Relaciones de trabajo informal análisis de la exclusión en Seguridad y Salud en el trabajo
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Fecha
2025
Autores
Cantillo Romero, Ingrid Natalia
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
El trabajo analiza la problemática estructural de la informalidad laboral en Colombia
y la consecuente exclusión de millones de personas del acceso efectivo a la Seguridad Social
y al Sistema de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SST).
A pesar de que la Constitución Política reconoce el trabajo como un derecho
fundamental (arts. 25, 26, 48 y 53) (Constitución Política de Colombia, 1991) y de la
existencia de un gran marco normativo, incluidas leyes como la Ley 100 de 1993, la Ley
1562 de 2012, el Decreto 801 de 2022 y el Decreto 1527 de 2024, los trabajadores informales
continúan al margen de la protección laboral y del aseguramiento en riesgos laborales (Ley
100, 1993; Ley 1562, 2012; Decreto 801, 2022; Decreto 1527, 2024).
La Corte Constitucional ha hecho reiterados pronunciamientos mediante sentencias
como T-760 de 2008, C-614 de 2009, T-067 de 2017, T-701 de 2017, T-243 de 2019, T-510
de 2016 y T-211 de 2025 (Corte Constitucional de Colombia, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017b,
2017d, 2019a, 2025), reiterando que la informalidad vulnera derechos fundamentales como
el mínimo vital, la vida digna, el trabajo y la igualdad. La Corte insiste en que estos
trabajadores deben ser considerados sujetos de especial protección por su estado de
vulnerabilidad y pobreza.
El estudio demuestra que la informalidad, que afecta a más del 50% de la población
ocupada, está asociada a bajos ingresos, inestabilidad económica, desconocimiento
normativo y debilidad institucional en la vigilancia y control del Estado. Estos factores
impiden la afiliación efectiva a la Seguridad Social y exponen a los trabajadores a riesgos
laborales sin protección, limitando el acceso a beneficios como pensiones, incapacidades o
indemnizaciones.
Aunque existen intentos normativos y políticas públicas para integrar al trabajador
informal al sistema, su implementación ha sido limitada e insuficiente. Finalmente, este
análisis concluye que se necesita una política jurídica integral, articulada y sostenible que
elimine la exclusión estructural de los trabajadores informales. Esta política debe contemplar
esquemas flexibles de cotización, aseguramiento subsidiado o semicontributivo,
fortalecimiento institucional, programas de educación en riesgos laborales y una estrategia
nacional de formalización progresiva. La inclusión real de esta población es un imperativo
constitucional, social y ético para avanzar hacia un país más justo y equitativo, en coherencia
con el artículo 1 de la Constitución Política de Colombia de 1991 (Constitución Política de
Colombia, 1991, art. 1).
This paper analyzes the structural problem of labor informality in Colombia and the resulting exclusion of millions of people from effective access to Social Security and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) System. Despite the Political Constitution recognizing work as a fundamental right (arts. 25, 26, 48, and 53) and the existence of an extensive regulatory framework—including Law 100 of 1993, Law 1562 of 2012, Decree 801 of 2022, and Decree 1527 of 2024—informal workers remain outside labor protection and risk coverage. The Constitutional Court has issued repeated rulings (such as T-760 of 2008, C-614 of 2009, T-067 of 2017, T-701 of 2017, T-243 of 2019, T-510 of 2016, and T-211 of 2025) emphasizing that informality violates fundamental rights, including the right to minimum subsistence, human dignity, work, and equality. The Court insists that these workers must be considered subjects of special protection due to their vulnerability and poverty. The study demonstrates that informality, which affects more than 50% of the employed population, is associated with low incomes, economic instability, lack of regulatory knowledge, and institutional weakness in state oversight and control. These factors prevent effective affiliation to Social Security and expose workers to occupational risks without protection, limiting access to benefits like pensions, disability payments, or compensation. Although there are normative attempts and public policies aimed at integrating informal workers into the system, their implementation has been limited and insufficient. This analysis concludes that a comprehensive, articulated, and sustainable legal policy is urgently needed to eliminate the structural exclusion of informal workers. This policy must include flexible contribution schemes, subsidized or semi-contributory insurance, institutional strengthening, occupational risk education programs, and a national progressive formalization strategy. The real inclusion of this population is a constitutional, social, and ethical imperative for advancing toward a fairer and more equitable country
This paper analyzes the structural problem of labor informality in Colombia and the resulting exclusion of millions of people from effective access to Social Security and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) System. Despite the Political Constitution recognizing work as a fundamental right (arts. 25, 26, 48, and 53) and the existence of an extensive regulatory framework—including Law 100 of 1993, Law 1562 of 2012, Decree 801 of 2022, and Decree 1527 of 2024—informal workers remain outside labor protection and risk coverage. The Constitutional Court has issued repeated rulings (such as T-760 of 2008, C-614 of 2009, T-067 of 2017, T-701 of 2017, T-243 of 2019, T-510 of 2016, and T-211 of 2025) emphasizing that informality violates fundamental rights, including the right to minimum subsistence, human dignity, work, and equality. The Court insists that these workers must be considered subjects of special protection due to their vulnerability and poverty. The study demonstrates that informality, which affects more than 50% of the employed population, is associated with low incomes, economic instability, lack of regulatory knowledge, and institutional weakness in state oversight and control. These factors prevent effective affiliation to Social Security and expose workers to occupational risks without protection, limiting access to benefits like pensions, disability payments, or compensation. Although there are normative attempts and public policies aimed at integrating informal workers into the system, their implementation has been limited and insufficient. This analysis concludes that a comprehensive, articulated, and sustainable legal policy is urgently needed to eliminate the structural exclusion of informal workers. This policy must include flexible contribution schemes, subsidized or semi-contributory insurance, institutional strengthening, occupational risk education programs, and a national progressive formalization strategy. The real inclusion of this population is a constitutional, social, and ethical imperative for advancing toward a fairer and more equitable country
Descripción
Palabras clave
Informalidad laboral, Seguridad Social, Exclusión social, Riesgos laborales, Protección social, Derechos fundamentales, Política pública, Colombia.
