The Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced on April 27 that May 1, International Workers’ Day, will be observed as a mandatory paid holiday in Costa Rica. The ministry confirmed that the holiday will not be moved this year and will be observed on Friday.
This announcement affects all workers regardless of their payment method or the type of work they perform. According to Article 148 of the Labor Code, employers are required to grant this day as a paid holiday.
For workplaces with weekly pay schedules in non-commercial activities, employees must receive their regular wages for days worked during the week plus an additional day’s wage for the holiday. If an employee works on May 1, they are entitled to double pay for that day. In companies where employees are paid monthly, biweekly, or weekly in commercial activities—and where salaries cover all days including holidays—workers must still receive full payment for the period. If work is performed on the holiday under these conditions, an extra day’s wage must also be provided.
Employees who work overtime during the holiday should receive triple pay for those hours: standard salary plus time-and-a-half double pay. The ministry emphasized that no worker can be forced to work on a public holiday except in special cases outlined by Articles 152 and 153 of the Labor Code.
All businesses operating in Costa Rica—including national and international companies—are required to honor this paid public holiday for their staff.
