Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q2 2021 Global Guide Quarterly updates   Download full Q2 2021 Global Guide Quarterly

Public Registry of Individuals Who Engaged in Sexual Harassment

New Legislation Enacted

Author: Marco E. Arias Arguedas, Partner - BDS, Member of Littler Global

On April 29, 2021, Law 9969 became effective. This law amends the Law Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Education, to require all employers, in the public and private sector, maintain a registry of all individuals disciplined for engaging in sexual harassment in the workplace. The registry must identify the disciplined individuals, and the disciplinary measure imposed (and when), but must not identify the victim. The registry is accessible to anyone with a legitimate interest, so anyone, even third parties, can request access to the registry.

Amended Law Allows Employers to Further Reduce Working Hours

New Legislation Enacted

Author: Marco E. Arias Arguedas, Partner - BDS, Member of Littler Global

On May 17, 2021, the Legislative Chamber amended Law No. 9832 to allow employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce employees’ working hours, something that our system previously prohibited. The amended law allows employers in the tourism and transportation sectors, as well as other industries, to continue asking for permission to reduce working hours. Employers can now seek four additional authorizations of three months each, for up to twelve months of reduction in working hours. Employers must continue to ask the Ministry of Labor for authorization and would be well advised to seek legal counsel as to the proper basis for doing so.

Bill to Overhaul Employment Relationships in Public Sector

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Marco E. Arias Arguedas, Partner - BDS, Member of Littler Global

The Legislative Chamber approved, in first debate, a bill that almost completely overhauls how employment relationships in the public sector are handled. Among other changes, this bill would replace the “bonuses system” for salaries in the public sector, where employees’ income have many components that increase exponentially over the years and can create inequities in comparison with the private sector, with a “global salary scheme” that eliminates those components. If the project clears the constitutional review, it will be subject to a second debate and new vote before it can become law.