Unions begin negotiations for 2013 minimum wage increase

October 18^th, 2012 – The negotiations for next year’s minimum wage increases for Costa Rica’s private sector workers began on Tuesday.

The unions will be requesting a raise of approximately 4%.

Albino Vargas, general secretary for the National Association of Private and Public Employees, said that their exact proposal would be provided after the unions meet and reach final agreement.

Representatives from the government’s executive branch stated the amount they will be proposing is around 3.1%.

Unions negotiate with the executive branch, as the branch is in charge of setting the minimum wage.  There are usually two minimum wage increases per year.

In Costa Rica, there isn’t a single minimum wage.  Instead, there is a different minimum wage for nearly every profession imaginable, from a maid, to a lawyer, to a soccer player.

The new minimum wages will come into effect in the first 15 days of 2013.