As the pandemic has changed the ways of accomplishing tasks and telecommuting has gained ground in all markets, flexibility in terms of where and when to work will be one of the factors most valued by employees in this new reality.
The threats caused by the spread of Covid-19, caused companies globally to look for new ways of working. Most teams chose to readjust their dynamics and focused on promoting remote work.
Due to the economic crisis it is estimated that by the end of 2020 Panama will have 400 thousand new unemployed and the unemployment rate will climb to 25%, assuming that the country generates between 45 thousand to 50 thousand jobs annually, it will take about eight years for the recovery to take place.
The outbreak of covid-19 caused a serious economic crisis in the country, since due to the spread of the disease the authorities have decreed severe home quarantines, mobility restrictions and have limited some productive activities.
Because in Costa Rica the regulations authorizing companies to reduce working hours expire in December 2020, businessmen in the tourism sector are asking the Assembly to extend the deadline.
When the first cases of covid-19 were registered, the "Law Authorizing the Reduction of Working Days in view of the National Emergency Declaration" was approved. The validity of this regulation expires next December, but, the businessmen see the need to extend its validity.
Modifying the Labor Code to allow companies to implement the exceptional extended workday of 12 hours a day, is a proposal being discussed in Costa Rica due to the need of industries that depend on continuous processes and encounter obstacles in the law.
In the Commission of Treasurers of the Legislative Assembly is initiative number 21,182, a parliamentary proposal that seeks to modify the Labor Code and update it according to present needs.
Focusing the skills of employees according to new opportunities and approving laws that allow for more flexible labor agreements are some of the proposals being discussed in Guatemala for companies to face the new labor reality.
Following the economic crisis that caused the outbreak of covid-19, the recovery and generation of jobs is one of the issues that occupies much of the attention of the government in Guatemala.
The National Assembly approved in third debate the draft law establishing temporary employment protection measures in companies affected by covid-19.
The initiative presented by the Executive received several modifications in its original content, both in the first and second debate, leaving the deputies with the reservation that these are temporary rules and are not intended to a future reform of the Labor Code, the Assembly reported.
In this scenario of economic crisis, the Ministry of Labor has extended for the fourth time and for 30 more days, the provision that allows companies in the country to suspend the contracts of their employees.
Executive Decree No. 100 of July 1, 2020 authorized a further extension of the temporary suspension of the effects of employment contracts, which will apply automatically for a period of 30 calendar days in companies whose operations have not been reactivated according to the plans for a gradual return to economic activity, reported the Labor Ministry.
By the second quarter of 2020, 9% of companies in the country expect to increase their payrolls, which is less than the 10% recorded in the same period in 2018.
Panamanian employers report moderate hiring plans for the second quarter of 2020, with 9% of employers expecting an increase in their workforce, 10% anticipating a decrease and 76% remaining unchanged, resulting in a Net Employment Trend of -1%, reported Manpower.
After the first quarter of 2020 in Guatemala, 10% of companies reported that they planned to increase their payrolls, for the second quarter this proportion rose to 15%.
Employers in Costa Rica report cautiously optimistic hiring plans for the second quarter of 2020. Fifteen percent of employers are contemplating an increase in their payrolls, 6% anticipate a decrease and 78% will remain unchanged, so the Net Employment Trend is +9%, reported Manpower.
During January of this year 30,270 work contracts were registered in the country, 11% less than the figure reported in the same period in 2019.
The reports of the General Comptroller of the Republic detail that between the first month of 2019 and the same period of 2020, the types of defined contracts registered at the headquarters of the Ministry of Labor decreased from 8,730 to 7,094.
Last year, 216,198 work contracts were registered in the country, 16% less than the figure reported in 2018.
Reports from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development detail that between 2018 and 2019, the types of indefinite contracts registered a decrease, falling from 70,000 to 54,000.
The ministerial reports explain that fixed-term contracts also registered a decrease for the periods in question, falling from 112,824 to 101,443, and in the case of fixed-term contracts they fell from 74,505 and 60,564, respectively.
In a context of a sharp drop in economic activity, the government decided to increase the minimum wage by 2.63% as of 1 March.
The increase, which was agreed by the Ministry of Labor and which will affect ten economic activities, was endorsed by the authorities on 6 February. Workers in free zones will be the only ones not to be subject to this increase, since wages in this sector were raised at the beginning of the year.
From January to November last year, 201,466 work contracts were registered in the country, 16% less than the figure reported in the same period in 2018.
Reports from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development detail that between the first eleven months of 2018 and the same period in 2019, the types of indefinite contracts registered a decrease, falling from 66,472 to 50,843.
The average rise is 3.3%, varying from 1% to 8% depending on economic activity, and will be in effect from January 15, 2020.
In the case of the education sector, free zones, hotels, agriculture and water supply the increase will be 1%, while in the area of Bocas del Toro where banana companies operate the adjustment will be 8%.
For workers in non-agricultural, maquila and export activities, the minimum wage will increase by 3% this year in relation to what was paid in 2019.
Government agreement 320-2019, published in Diario de Centroamérica on December 30, 2019, specifies that the minimum monthly wage for agricultural activities will remain unchanged for the second consecutive year, and will continue at $388.12.
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