By: Estefanía Chacón
This year, a vote of the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica clarified that the minimum salaries of Central Government workers are not attachable. The Ministry of Labor is of the opinion that this should apply to the rest of the workers in the public sector, as well as in the private sector.
That vote is based on articles 172 and 174 of the Costa Rican Labor Code and the official notice MTSS-DMT-OF- 935-2022, issued by the Ministry of Labor.
Therefore, on July 14, 2022, the Ministry of Finance announced that, as of the first fortnight of July, payroll deductions will not be applied to public employees registered in the Integra System who receive a monthly liquid salary of less than ₡214,230 colones.
The workers to whom payment is made through the Integra System are the following:
Central Government (Presidency and Ministries), Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Ombudsman’s Office, Dinadeco (National Directorate of Community Development) General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners and Legislative Assembly (except for deputies).