The new rules adopted by the Ministry of Labour will come into effect in February 2015 and the penalties for breaking them involve fines of between 3 and 16 minimum wages.
On August 8 the Regulation on Occupational Health and Safety issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare was published in the Official Newspaper, relating to Governmental Agreement No. 229-2014.
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.