Discovering Costa Rica

4. Thirteenth Month or Christmas Bonus In case of termination of employment before the end of the corresponding term, the bonus must be paid proportionally and immediately. The bonus must be paid regardless of the cause for termination. Maternity and Disability Maternity labor licenses grant employees a hiatus permit of one month pre-birth and three months post-birth. Employees on maternity leave or those in their nursing period, may only be fired for just cause and after having filed for termination approval before the Ministry of Labor. Partial disability licenses (i.e., illness), is also granted by the Social Security System, after medical evaluation. On maternity leave the employee receives 50% of the normal salary from the Social Security office and 50% from the employer. New mothers are entitled to up to a year of breastfeeding- an hour daily. Work Schedule The ordinary work schedule is eight hours a day with a maximum of 48 hours per week. These 48 hours may be divided among five days, or six days (for example: Monday through Saturday). There is one mandatory day of rest that should be given to all employees. There are specific rules for night shifts, and management positions. Overtime Labor laws allow work that goes beyond a workday exceptionally, in accordance to statutes and cannot exceed twelve continuous hours. Overtime wages are equivalent to a corresponding hourly rate, plus 50%. These rules are only applicable to plant workers and administrative employees. Social Security A public institution (Costa Rica Social Security Bureau) manages the national health system, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health: Employer and employee contributions for the national health system are obligatory and are calculated as a percentage of a monthly salary. Contributions are equivalent to 24% of paid salary from employer and 9% of salary from employee. The system includes two schemes, which are obligatory for all legally established employers and employees: Illness and maternity (medical treatment), disability, old age and death (mandatory pension). The social security system does not impede employers to join other, public or private, pension, heath or retirement plans.

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