QCOSTARICA — Costa Rica has two categories of public holidays, known as “mandatory pay” and “non-mandatory pay”, which may be difficult to navigate for some, especially expatriates.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1, Día del Trabajador (Labor Day), is a “mandatory pay” holiday.
And unlike other holidays, this one will be observed on the same day, that is, the date is not moved.
According to the Codigo de Trabajo (Labor Code), no person is obliged to work on a “mandatory pay” holiday, that is, if they refuse to work they cannot be sanctioned.
While an employee cannot be compelled to work, if a weekly, biweekly or monthly salaried employee chooses to work voluntarily, they will receive an additional day’s salary double the salary) as compensation.
If overtime is worked on these holidays, the overtime will be equal to tripe pay.
The legislation is clear that “all employees, regardless of their job duties or whether the company is domestic or international, are entitled to holiday time”.
Upcoming holidays in 2024:
- July 25: Anexión de Nicoya – Guanacaste Day (mandatory pay)
- August 2: Día de la Virgen de los Ángeles – Lady of the Angels Day (non-mandatory pay)
- August 15: Día de la Madre – Mother’s Day (mandatory pay)
- August 31: Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense – Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture(non-mandatory pay)
- September 15: Dia de Independencia – Independence Day (mandatory pay)
- December 1: Día de la Abolición del Ejército – Abolition of the Army (non-mandatory pay)
- December 25: Navidad – Christmas Day (mandatory pay)
