Private-sector salary raise set at 3.65 percent

The National Salary Council on Tuesday approved a 3.65 percent increase in salaries for Costa Rica’s private-sector workers that will go into effect on Jan. 1.

The government proposal, filed Tuesday afternoon, was supported by employer chamber leaders. The agreement was reached in a quick meeting of less than an hour at Casa Presidencial.  

Labor union representatives voted against the proposal. Last week, they asked for a salary hike of 4.06 percent, plus an extra 2 percent for workers receiving minimum wage.

Private-sector workers total more than 1.2 million, almost 85 percent of Costa Rica’s workforce, according to government figures.