Costa Rica - Repository of Actions on Paid Domestic Work

Regulatory Information 
Ratification of the 189 ILO Convention  Yes, January 20th, 2014. 
Existence of an internal regulation for domestic work       

Yes. 

 

Law No. 8726 Reform of Chapter Eight of Title Two of the Labor Code, Law No. 2, Law of Paid Domestic Work. Consult here.  
Areas of Intervention 
1. Training and professionalization     

Workers: 

 

In terms of professionalization, the National Leaning Institute (INA) has the certification of competencies on care.  

 

The Ministry of Labor responds to the demands for training from the organizations of paid domestic workers.  

 

Employers:     

  

The Ministry does not appear to have training for employers of domestic workers at this time.

2. Dissemination and awareness-raising   The Ministry has a manual titled “Domestic Work” that explains in detail the frequently asked questions related to the rights that domestic workers have, the aspects that must be present in a labor contract, and how to proceed if the worker needs to make a complaint about some work condition. Consult the manual here. 
3. Inspection 

With respect to inspection, apart from what is mentioned in the general Labor Code, the Ministry seems to have a section in its manual that indicates that workers can “go to the Labor Inspection Office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to submit the respective complaint” in case of being harassed or sexually harassed. Consult the manual here.  

    

The Ministry of Labor of Costa Rica is venturing into virtual inspections, due to the regulatory barrier that prevents entry to the homes where the workers work.  
4. Social Security Coverage  

With respect to social security, Article 104 of the previously mentioned Law indicates that “employers of paid domestic work will be obliged to guarantee the social security of workers, and to register them in the Costa Rican Social Security Funds…as well as to gram them an occupational risk insurance”. Consult here.  

 

The CCSS established a simplified Regime to increase social security coverage for workers with part-time work or multiple bosses.  

 

The National Insurance Institute of Costa Rica implements a policy against occupational hazards aimed at this group of workers.  
5. Alliances with social actors 

In Costa Rica, to date, there are no paid domestic work unions or organizations composed of employers.  

 

At different times there has been contact with the Association of Domestic Workers (ASTRADOMES), to attend to requests for training and coordination in working groups to advance their labor rights.   

 

The Paid Domestic Work Agenda, already validated by the MTSS, has an axis of social dialogue and strengthening of union organizations. On the other hand, the construction of this Agenda was carried out with the participation of 3 organizations of domestic workers in the country.    
More information 

  • - Work permits: 

 

  • - The digital platform of the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) “Tramite ya” allows workers to manage the special category of Specific Occupation Worker with Physical Employer/Domestic Employee.  

   

  • - The MTSS has validated the Paid Domestic Work Agenda 2023-2026 with its commitments (MTSS commitments). Currently, this agenda is being validated with the other institutions involved. Thus, an agenda was prepared within the framework of an inter-institutional Commission led by INAMU and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. In this agenda, actions directed towards formalization, employability, inspection, promotion of a culture of compliance with labor rights are developed.  

 

  • - The MTSS has an institutional chat and an 800-work line to attend to labor queries of both the workers and the employers. 

 

*Información revisada y aprobada por el Ministerio.