Private-sector salary increase goes into effect Monday

As of Monday, all private-sector workers  will receive a 3.65 percent increase in wages.

The hike was set last October by the National Salary Council even though labor union representatives voted against the proposed figure.

They asked for a salary hike of 4.06 percent, plus an extra 2 percent for workers receiving minimum wage, but the Council made the final decision.

The increase is the highest in the last two years and was fully supported by employer chamber leaders.

The raise will take effect from January 1. However, the law allows employers who cannot cover it immediately to pay on the last day of the month.

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