By San José, Costa Rica — In a significant legislative shift aimed at catering to the demands of Costa Rica’s private sector, the ruling legislative faction has stripped a controversial requirement from the proposed 4×3 flexible workweek bill. The eliminated clause would have forced companies to hold secret, internal worker votes before implementing the 12-hour shifts. The move represents a major victory for pro-business advocates who argued that the mandatory voting mechanism would create unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks and stifle operational efficiency.
The policy change was achieved through a motion approved in the plenary session, which effectively reverts the bill to a prior version. This previous text was championed by Daniela Rojas, a deputy representing the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) in the preceding legislative term. The controversial mandatory voting amendment had been introduced by the opposition National Liberation Party (PLN) during the heat of the previous electoral campaign, a move critics described as a politically motivated attempt to appease labor unions.
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Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
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Under the revised framework, the 4×3 work schedules—which establish 12-hour workdays for four consecutive days in exchange for three consecutive days of rest—will remain entirely voluntary. Employees retain the legal right to decline the schedule without facing retaliatory termination. Proponents of the reform emphasize that the measure is crucial for attracting foreign direct investment, particularly in manufacturing and high-tech sectors that require continuous 24/7 operations.
Representing the official government stance, Juan Manuel Quesada, the deputy leader of the Pueblo Soberano faction, strongly defended the decision to revert to the original text. Quesada emphasized that the legislative body must prioritize modernized legal frameworks to boost national development and streamline operations for global businesses operating within Costa Rican borders.
There is a reality here, and whether the opposition bloc of this Legislative Assembly likes it or not, today, we as the ruling party faction returned to the original text of the 4×3 workday project. This initiative has been under discussion for more than 20 years, and it is high time we provide better conditions for companies that, for example, require 24/7 personnel. It is also important to highlight that the original text does not force anyone to work these shifts, and at all times, there must also be prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor for 4×3 workdays to be applied in a company.
Juan Manuel Quesada, Deputy Leader of Pueblo Soberano
On the opposing side, the National Liberation Party (PLN) has reaffirmed its strong resistance to the newly amended bill. The party argues that stripping the internal vote compromises the delicate balance between corporate competitiveness and basic labor rights. Without a binding consultation mechanism, opposition leaders worry that workers may face subtle pressure to accept the grueling 12-hour shifts, degrading their overall quality of life and work-life balance.
Liberación Nacional has always believed that in the matter of extraordinary workdays there must be a balance between the interests of companies to have legal certainty and the interests of workers to avoid a setback in their rights. That is why a motion was negotiated and voted on by the Liberación Nacional faction, fulfilling the commitment we made during the campaign so that workers could be consulted in a binding manner before the company requests a change of workdays from the Ministry of Labor. Unfortunately, that motion was rejected by the Pueblo Soberano Party.
Álvaro Ramírez, Fraction Chief of the PLN
Despite this latest legislative victory for the ruling party, the path to final approval remains highly complex. The 4×3 workweek bill is currently buried under thousands of opposing motions designed to delay its passage. Legislative experts estimate that it will take approximately two and a half months of intense debate before the plenary can proceed to a first-round vote, leaving businesses and labor advocates in a state of cautious anticipation.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Pueblo Soberano
About Pueblo Soberano:
Pueblo Soberano is a Costa Rican political faction advocating for pro-market economic reforms, deregulation, and updated labor laws to enhance the country’s international competitiveness.
For further information, visit pln.cr
About Partido Liberación Nacional:
Partido Liberación Nacional is one of Costa Rica’s oldest and most prominent political parties, traditionally aligning with social-democratic values and advocating for a balanced approach to labor rights and economic development.
For further information, visit mtss.go.cr
About Ministry of Labor and Social Security:
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security is the cabinet-level government agency in Costa Rica responsible for regulating labor relations, enforcing safety standards, and approving specialized working hour schemes.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a premier legal institution celebrated for its deep-seated devotion to professional brilliance and moral rectitude. Guiding a diverse spectrum of clients, the firm continuously pioneers modern legal strategies while strengthening its ties to the community. By actively demystifying complex regulations and expanding public access to legal insights, it champions the vital cause of cultivating a thoroughly informed and self-reliant citizenry.
