Faced with the sudden change that the new normal generated in companies, employees are challenged to increase their skills to work remotely, adapt to more flexible contracts and refine their technological skills and cognitive qualities.
Telecommuting has become an everyday occurrence among companies in the region, which have had to adjust to the restrictions imposed by governments due to the outbreak of covid-19.
35% of companies in Panama reported having difficulties filling job positions, mainly intermediate positions with a high level of training required.
According to the Talent Shortage Survey 2018, prepared by ManpowerGroup, the most difficult positions to cover are technicians, sales representatives, office support staff, accountants and financiers, heavy equipment drivers, computer support, engineers, chemists, customer service, lawyers, project managers, researchers, electricians, mechanics and welders.
In Costa Rica civil servants earn on average 150% more than workers in the private sector, which contributes decisively to the growth of inequality and lowers the overall competitiveness of human resources.
Differences have been reported of up to one thousand percent in the salaries of staff performing identical functions in state universities.
Editorial
A study by the deputy Otto Guevara, according to a report by Crhoy.com, confirms the distortion generated by the wage policy of the Costa Rican public sector in the labor market in the country.
Through remuneration systems that favor the stability of the employee and reward the simple continuity in a post beyond the adequacy with which tasks are executed, it is possible that even within the same institution one driver of a light vehicle can receive $300 a month, while another one earns $3,750.
The Government has issued an Executive Order which details the services that will be defined and the procedure to be followed to ensure the continuity of their delivery of services to the population.
After the lifting of the veto of the Act amending the Labour Procedure Code, which enabled strikes in essential services, president Solis has issued a decree which will be in force until the aforementioned Reform Act comes into force in mid-2016.
Despite widespread opposition from all productive sectors in the country, President Solis has lifted the ban on reforms to the law on labor procedures imposed by the previous administration.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
Lifting of veto outrages and concerns business sector
A new tool allows private companies to independently assess the level of compliance with the Guatemalan Labor Law.
The purpose of this certification is for companies interested in attracting foreign partners to be able to prove they comply with labor laws in the country, as explained by representatives of the American Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), developer of the tool.
Nicaraguan textile companies expect an increase in sales after obtaining 'Better Work' certification which establishes better working conditions for employees.
The implementation of the program run by the International Labour Organization is a condition of international clothing brands such as Levi's, Target, GAP and other textile mills which need to buy materials to make their clothes, therefore its implementation in Nicaraguan companies is key to improving competitiveness and attracting new investment to the sector.
Unions reject a proposal by industrialists to work 4 days and rest 3 days, whle the government describes it as a "sensitive" issue.
The Minister of Labour, Victor Morales, told Crhoy.com that "....These proposals concerning working hours require legislative amendment, they need a reform of the Labour Code to be approved in the Legislature ... I proposed to the Chamber of Industries ...
Industrialists are asking for inclusion in the Labour Code a 12 hour work day, and in cases in where the law permits, annualized hours.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Industries (ICRC):
July 2014. In the view of the ICRC establishing additional rules for working time in Costa Rican legislation represents an excellent option for generating higher quality employment opportunities, while at the same time allowing firms to improve their production levels.
There has been a rise in the number of firms reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified staff, especially technicians, engineers and sales managers.
In one year the number of companies who said they found it difficult to fill vacancies grew by 11%, according to figures from a survey carried out by the human resources firm Manpower, which states that "...
The education of children and young people must be the appropriate in order to fit into a labor market that gets more competitive dayby day or to start their own businesses.
From a statement by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
CONTINUING MODERNIZATION OF EDUCATION IS TASK FOR EVERYONE
In a few days thousands of children and young people will enter classrooms to prepare to be the future of our country.
The law on flexible labor passed in 2010 was valid for three years and now its extension has provoked opposition from worker unions seeking its repeal.
Representatives from several labor unions asked the president Porfirio Lobo to repeal the Employment Act which was extended on 18 January before he leaves the Government. Trade unions believe that the rule violates the Labor Code and curtails the rights of workers.
Keeping up with the pace of economic growth, in 2018 the employment rate will be double the current level.
During the conference entitled "Impact of the Economy in the Private Sector" , organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama, the president of the consultancy company Intracorp S. A., Ruben Lachman, said that companies that require skilled labor will continue to recruit foreigners who match the professional profile they are looking for.