Labor inspectors carried out an operation on April 23 in San José to check compliance with labor laws and protect the rights of workers at a major apartment building construction site, according to an April 24 announcement. The inspection included 24 companies, covering both the project developer and its contractors, and affected around 300 workers.
During the operation, two warnings of closure were issued due to non-compliance related to workplace risk insurance policies. These issues were resolved immediately by employers, which prevented work stoppages. Inspectors found several violations including employees not registered with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), missing workplace risk insurance policies, underreported wages compared to actual earnings, lack of payment receipts, failure to pay minimum wage, illegal deductions from salaries, and breaches of occupational health and safety standards such as missing personal protective equipment, lack of sanitary facilities, poor hygiene conditions, and no designated dining areas.
The inspections are ongoing. Once investigations are completed, authorities will issue further warnings to employers. Follow-up visits will be conducted; if violations persist after these visits, legal action may be taken against those who do not comply with current labor laws.
Minister of Labor Andrés Romero said that “the work of the National Inspection Directorate through these operations reflects a strong commitment to formalizing employment and effectively protecting labor rights. It is not only about supervising but also ensuring decent and safe conditions for every worker—especially in high-risk sectors like construction.”
