The National Salary Council approved annual increases to minimum salaries, seeking to eliminate the salary gap between employees who earn their salaries on a monthly basis and those who earn their salaries on a daily basis.

This change will be applied gradually, starting in January of this year and through 2026 (for some categories).

Below, we share the approved categories to which the increases will apply:

1. A single increase was applied to the “trabajador en ocupación no calificada genérico” category, which began on January 2021.
2. Employees under the “trabajador en ocupación semicalificada genérico” category will receive an annual increase during 4 years, starting on January 2021 and through January 2024.
3. Employees under the “trabajador en ocupación calificada” category will receive an annual increase during 4 years, starting on January 2021 and through January 2024.
4. Employees under the “trabajador en ocupación especializada genérica” category will receive an annual increase during 6 years, starting on January 2021 and through January 2026.

The Employment, Labor, and Immigration Law practice of Dentons Muñoz Costa Rica offers legal advice relating to:

• Legislation review: to determine which of the applicable minimum salaries correspond to which category of employees.
• Legal opinions: in reference to all minimum wage and work shift matters.
• Legal advice: to prevent future legal issues.

To obtain legal advice on Costa Rican Employment & Labor Law and Human Resources, please do not hesitate to contact us.