The ‘Mother’ Of All Holidays

Today, August 15, is Mother’s Day in Costa Rica, for many the most important holiday of the year.

This holiday is also a ‘pago obligatorio’ (mandatory payment).

According to what the Labor Code (Codigo de Trabajo), if worked the day is paid double pay, overtime is paid triple. The law applies to both foreign and national companies.

Mother’s Day is also a holiday an employee can refuse to work if asked. The Labor Code allows an employee to refuse to work without reprisals. That is, an employee can not be fired or sanctioned for refusing to work on Mother’s Day.