Important changes to Nursing Rooms on labor legislation in Costa Rica

On April 4, 2018, Executive Decree No. 41080 MTSS-S “Regulation of Conditions for Nursing Rooms in Workplaces” was enacted, which set forth the requirements that, all nursing rooms in Costa Rica, must meet to comply with Costa Rican labor laws. Per said Decree, employers in Costa Rica are bound to properly furnish their facilities by May 4th, 2019.

This regulation applies to all employers who have 30 or more women workers in their work centers. The measures referred to in said document are related to aspects such as infrastructure, furniture and conditioning of the space allocated for nursing rooms.

Failure to comply with the provisions of these new Costa Rican labor requirements, empowers the authorities of the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Health of Costa Rica to apply special measures of eviction and closure of the workplace, as well as the cancellation of operating permits. Additionally, employers who do not comply with all the provisions may be exposed to legal proceedings for violations of labor laws and fines that may vary between 8 to 23 monthly base salaries (from ₡ 3,569,600 and up to ₡ 10,262,600).