Minimum-wage increase approved for July 1
Workers in Costa Rica’s private sector making minimum wage will receive a 0.5 % increase starting July 1.
The National Wages Council, which includes representatives from the government, employers chambers and labor unions, agreed on the figure last Wednesday negotiating for several hours at the Labor Ministry. The Council rejected workers’ union requests of increases ranging from 2.13% to 3.5%, as well as employers’ request to lave wages unchanged.
According to Costa Rica’s labor laws the wage hike is only mandatory for workers who receive the minimum wage at their job category.
In addition, the Wages Council approved a 2% increase for monthly salaries of domestic workers.
According to the National Statistics and Census Institute, private-sector workers represent 85% of Costa Rica’s workforce, an estimated 2.06 million people.
Minimum wage in Costa Rica varies by profession and job category. See the full list of Costa Rica minimum wages.
Source: www.ticotimes.net
What is the minimum wage in Costa Rica?
Minimum wages for Costa Rica
Costa Rica bases the minimum wage on several factors including skill level and education. Some specific jobs like “domestic service” carry their own minimum as well. According to Article 136 of the Labour Code the ordinary working day cash may not exceed eight hours in the day, six at night, and forty-eight hours per week. These wages contain an increase of 2.01% for all categories of Decree concerning minimum wages in the previous period, except for domestic service since it was granted 2.5%.
As of 03/15/2016. Wages shown in CRC (CR Colones)
| Skill level | Education | Minimum wage (daily) | Minimum wage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled worker (TNC) |
9598.73
|
||
| Semi-skilled worker (TSC) |
10437.94
|
||
| Skilled Worker (TC) |
10630.08
|
||
| Specialized Worker Generic (TE) |
12537.91
|
||
| Generic laborer (TNCG) |
286467.36
|
||
| Generic semi-skilled worker (TSCG) |
308194.03
|
||
| Generic Qualified Worker (TCG) |
323978.14
|
||
| Technical |
Diversified Education (ED)
|
339506.00
|
|
| Specialized worker Generic (TEG) |
363823.80
|
||
| Technical |
Higher Education (EDS)
|
418403.78
|
|
|
Diploma of Higher Education (DES)
|
451891.72
|
||
|
Bachelor Degree (Bach)
|
512552.17
|
||
|
Undergraduate degree (BA)
|
615083.69
|
||
| Superior Worker Specialization (TES) |
19457.55
|
Source: www.tusalario.org
US Embassy opening for Security Escort
Attention: US Citizens living in Costa Rica…
The United States Embassy in San Jose is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Security Escort. This position is open only to United States citizens living in Costa Rica. The position is temporary and will not exceed one year from hire date. All applicants must have the required work and/or residency permits to be eligible for consideration in Costa Rica.
- POSITION: Security Escort
- OPENING DATE: May 25, 2016
- CLOSING DATE: Until Filled
- WORK HOURS: Part-time 20 hours/week
SALARY: *Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP-9 US$14,055.00 annual (Starting salary) * Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN-5 ¢200,202.00 monthly (Starting salary)*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The incumbent performs security escort duties and access control of limited and minor projects, including CAA construction and/or major renovation projects.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
EDUCATION: Completion of secondary school is required.
WHERE TO APPLY:
- Human Resources Office
- Mailing Address: 920-1200 Pavas, San Jose Costa Rica
- E-mail Address: jobsembassysanjose@state.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For any other related questions please visit our website Jobs U.S. Embassy San Jose or contact the Human Resources Office at 2519-2316.
Costa Rica won’t block Uber app
The Government of Costa Rica said it won’t block Uber and it’s application although it will sanction the company for not being a legal service under the country’s laws. An announcement was made Monday by the MOPT (Ministry of Public Works and Transport). At a meeting with taxi drivers, bus drivers, and the tourism industry, the Government agreed to form a commission and create an action plan to tighten controls on illegal transport services. 
Source: qcostarica.com
Starting a business in Costa Rica
Low taxes and overhead afford business owners more opportunities for success
While some believe starting a business in Costa Rica is difficult, William from Casa de Costa Rica has a different view. Drawing upon his 20 years of business development expertise, William built a company in La Fortuna that has prospered.
This video offers a light-hearted comparison of business start-ups in Costa Rica vs. in the United States and Canada. While 90% of new businesses in North America fail in the first five years, that’s not often the case here. The low cost of raw materials and labor, combined with low taxes (flat 7% vs. 30+%) and user fees, affords business investors greater profits. Higher profits means it’s more likely the business owner will succeed.
As William explains, a US company might need to generate $72,000 in monthly sales to get a $3,600 monthly profit. However, the same company in Costa Rica would need less than $10,000 in sales to achieve the same $3,600. Business owners who couldn’t succeed in the States can succeed here, even in spite of themselves.
Source: www.youtube.com
How to Get Started as a Freelance Translator
Corinne McKay was a former French high school teacher in the United States. She went from earning $9,000 a year from 3-4 clients and working 20 hours a week in the first year, $18,000 her second year, to $36,000 in year three. According to a recent compensation survey of the American Translators Association, a self-employed freelance translator working full time in the US earns about $50,000 a year. Corinne expects to meet that while working about 30 hours a week and taking four weeks of vacation each year.
Tips for beginning freelance translators
Corinne offers her suggestions for those getting started…
- Be realistic. To work full-time as a translator you’ll need a sizable list of regular clients. It may take a year or more until you are working full time. In Corrine’s case, she contacted about 400 translation agencies her first year in business. It took about 18 months until she earned an amount equal to her previous full time job. While you may work 30-40 hours each week, it may more realistic to plan on only billing 25 hours a week.
- Never stop marketing. When you get steady work, it’s tempting to think that agencies will keep referring you. Work flows go up and down. Agencies go out of business. Keep sending your resume to 3-5 new agencies each week.
- Don’t forget your own backyard Check the yellow pages under “interpreters and translators.”
- Join the associations. The American Translators Association and local chapters will establish your seriousness as a translator, and to meet other translators.
- Ask for advice. Check out freelancers groups. Talk with those with more experience than you.
- Focus your resume on specific translation skills Highlight your specific skills right away such as “Spanish-bilingual software specialist,” or “Native speaker of Arabic with mechanical engineering background,” etc.
- Offer services other translators don’t Many experienced translators don’t have a financial need to work nights, weekends, rush jobs, etc. Set yourself apart
- Get your certifications You don’t have to get certified by the American Translators Association but it can lead to an increase in business.
- Consider the other advantages of freelancing You might qualify for significant tax deductions for business related expenses. If you work from home you won’t be paying commuting expenses, lunch out, work clothes, etc.
- Keep in touch As you apply to agencies, keep a file of the person you talked to or e-mailed with, and what his or her response was to your inquiry. As you get more experience, periodically contact these people again to let them know a) you’re still there and b) you have some new projects to tell them about.
- Never take on work you can’t handle. Don’t do what you don’t know, particularly in a small community of translators and translation consumers. Clients will appreciate your honesty and use you for projects better suited to you.
- Keep them happy Finish projects on time and on budget. NEVER miss a deadline without notifying a client as soon as possible it won’t be done by the deadline. Return phone calls and e-mails within one business day. When you can’t do the job, refer them to a colleague. Be professional in all of your dealings.
Source: www.project4hire.com
Costa Rica Proposes Income Tax for Expats, Perpetual Tourists
The Costa Rican Government is planning to start collecting income tax, not only on earnings by individuals and corporations in the country, but income generated abroad as well – a global income tax, or renta mundial in Spanish. Presently taxes in Costa Rica are based on the principle of territoriality. As such, all personal income from a foreign source is tax exempt.
The new scheme would apply to Expats and “perpetual tourists,” those persons living in Costa Rica and leaving every 90 days to renew their tourist visa.
The government will consider excluding tax on income from foreign sources if a person provides proof they have paid income tax in the country where it was generated.
Early this year, a presidential decree required the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) to open bank accounts to foreigners, allowing the government to identify and tax all foreigners living in the country.
Some speculate the proposed tax law will snare expats who work remotely from Costa Rica for US companies and claim the Foreign Earned Income Credit. Because this income is exempt from US federal income tax it would be fully-taxed in Costa Rica.
Source: qcostarica.com
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