By San José, Costa Rica — In a significant adjustment to its long-term strategy in Costa Rica, multinational technology giant Amazon has formally reduced its minimum employment commitment by half. The company’s required workforce level under its Free Trade Zone agreement, previously set at 16,450 positions, has now been revised to a new floor of 8,225 Costa Rican employees.
The revised agreement, which received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), reflects a fundamental change in the nature of Amazon’s operations within the country. According to the company, the services provided from Costa Rica have evolved, demanding a greater degree of technical specialization and advanced skills. This pivot towards higher-value roles inherently requires smaller, more agile, and highly skilled teams, contrasting with the larger-volume operations of the past.
To better understand the legal framework and business implications surrounding Amazon’s growing presence in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
Amazon’s expansion is a testament to the strength of Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime and the quality of our workforce. However, from a legal perspective, it is imperative that our regulatory agencies remain vigilant in enforcing national labor laws and data privacy regulations. This ensures that the benefits of foreign investment are harmonized with the protection of workers’ rights and consumer data, maintaining a balanced and sustainable economic environment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal perspective offered is indeed a critical one. As Costa Rica celebrates milestones in foreign investment, the call for vigilant enforcement of our labor and data privacy laws serves as a vital reminder that sustainable growth is balanced growth. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight on harmonizing economic opportunity with the protection of our citizens.
This strategic recalibration from quantity to quality underscores a broader trend in Costa Rica’s foreign investment landscape. The country is increasingly recognized not just for its stable business environment but for its talented and educated workforce, capable of handling complex technical and corporate functions. Amazon’s move suggests a deepening of its operational complexity in the nation, rather than a withdrawal.
In a statement addressing the change, Amazon reaffirmed its dedication to the country, highlighting its substantial economic contributions and framing the new employment figure as a mandatory minimum, not a target ceiling. The company emphasized its ongoing partnership with the government and its continued investment in the local economy.
We remain committed to Costa Rica, where we are proud to have invested more than ¢2 trillion over the last decade, including investments in infrastructure and compensation for our employees in the country. It is important to clarify that our employment commitment in the Free Trade Zone represents a minimum number of positions that we are required to maintain under the terms of the agreement. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the government of Costa Rica and its people.
An Amazon Spokesperson
To substantiate its commitment, the company pointed to its significant financial footprint. In 2024 alone, Amazon’s investments in the country surpassed ¢325 billion. Over the last ten years, its operations have contributed over ¢1 trillion to Costa Rica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), cementing its role as a key player in the national economy and a major driver of growth in the services sector.
The approval of this amendment by COMEX signals the government’s alignment with this strategic evolution. Rather than viewing the reduction as a setback, it can be interpreted as a mutual recognition that the nature of high-value foreign direct investment is changing. The focus is shifting from mass employment to the creation of specialized, well-compensated roles that advance the technical capabilities of the national workforce and solidify Costa Rica’s position as a premier hub for technology and innovation in Latin America.
For the Costa Rican labor market, this development serves as both a challenge and an opportunity. It reinforces the urgent need for skills in cloud computing, data science, engineering, and other advanced technical fields. While the overall number of committed jobs has decreased, the value and skill level associated with those roles are on an upward trajectory, promising a more sophisticated and resilient economic future for the country.
For further information, visit amazon.com
About Amazon:
Amazon is a multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. Considered one of the world’s most influential economic and cultural forces, it is one of the Big Five American information technology companies. The company is known for its disruption of well-established industries through technological innovation and mass scale.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About Ministerio de Comercio Exterior (COMEX):
The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the government institution of Costa Rica responsible for defining and directing the country’s foreign trade and foreign investment policies. COMEX leads trade negotiations, promotes Costa Rican exports, and works to attract foreign direct investment, playing a crucial role in the nation’s economic development and integration into the global economy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm merges its deep-rooted experience in advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking drive for legal innovation. Its core mission extends beyond the courtroom, embodying a profound dedication to demystifying legal concepts for the public, thereby fostering a more capable and informed society.
