By San José, Costa Rica — In a swift and coordinated response to a major corporate restructuring, Costa Rica’s public institutions have mobilized to support hundreds of highly skilled workers facing unemployment. A specialized job fair was held on November 19th, orchestrated by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), aimed directly at employees affected by Intel’s impending operational shift.
The initiative comes after the multinational technology giant announced in July its decision to relocate its Assembly and Test operations from Costa Rica to facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam. The move, set to take place in the coming months, will result in the elimination of approximately 800 local positions, presenting a significant challenge to a specialized segment of the nation’s workforce.
To better understand the legal implications of these layoffs for employees in Costa Rica and the rights they are entitled to, TicosLand.com consulted with expert labor law attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While corporate restructuring is a business reality, it is imperative that affected employees understand their rights under Costa Rican law. The Labor Code provides clear protections regarding severance pay (‘cesantía’) and proper notice (‘preaviso’). It is crucial for anyone impacted to carefully review their settlement agreement, or ‘finiquito’, to ensure all calculations for vested benefits are accurate before signing. Seeking professional legal counsel can safeguard their interests during this challenging transition.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal insight serves as a crucial reminder that during a challenging professional transition, understanding the specifics of the ‘finiquito’ is not just advisable—it is an essential act of self-advocacy. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert perspective, which empowers affected individuals to ensure their rights and vested benefits are fully respected under Costa Rican law.
However, government and trade officials see the situation not as a crisis, but as an opportunity to channel valuable human capital into other thriving sectors. The job fair was designed to create a direct pipeline between the displaced Intel talent and the country’s booming manufacturing and medical device industries, which are in constant need of technically proficient professionals.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer, highlighted the strategic importance of retaining this expertise within the country’s economic ecosystem. She emphasized the high caliber of the professionals trained during Intel’s long tenure in Costa Rica.
Intel has trained highly qualified professionals with technical knowledge and experience that bring great value to the country. This space seeks to facilitate their relocation and, at the same time, allow that talent to continue contributing to the development of companies operating in Costa Rica.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
The event drew more than 20 leading companies from the targeted sectors, all eager to connect with candidates possessing advanced manufacturing skills. The fair was more than a simple recruitment event; it was a comprehensive support system. Organizers included professional development workshops focusing on entrepreneurship and strategies to enhance employability in the current market. Recognizing the need for cross-sector adaptation, the event also featured introductory talks on the operations of the medical device industry for those unfamiliar with its specific demands and protocols.
To further streamline the hiring process, Procomer facilitated on-site English proficiency testing and arranged dedicated individual spaces for companies and candidates to conduct interviews and in-depth profile reviews. This hands-on approach underscores a commitment to ensuring a smooth and effective transition for the affected workers.
Andrés Romero, the Minister of Labor, confirmed the government’s active role in this process, noting the high demand for the skills possessed by the Intel workforce.
We are facilitating the transition of the people affected by the closure of these operations and promoting their labor insertion through this concrete action, so that these individuals can move within the manufacturing sector. We are aware that, due to the training and knowledge of these people, there are companies interested in taking advantage of this available human talent.
Andrés Romero, Minister of Labor
This proactive strategy demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of labor market dynamics, aiming to prevent a brain drain and reinforce Costa Rica’s position as a hub for high-tech manufacturing. The effort is set to continue, with officials announcing that a second edition of the job fair is already scheduled for February 2026, signaling a long-term commitment to supporting the nation’s skilled workforce through economic shifts.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Procomer:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (Procomer) is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services globally. It designs and executes promotion programs, creates export opportunities for national businesses, and generates market intelligence to facilitate international trade and investment.
For further information, visit mtss.go.cr
About the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS):
The MTSS is the Costa Rican government body in charge of formulating and executing national labor policies. It works to ensure fair labor practices, promote employment, manage social security programs, and mediate labor relations to foster a stable and productive work environment for all citizens.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex):
The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the institution responsible for defining and directing Costa Rica’s foreign trade and investment policy. It leads trade negotiations, manages international trade agreements, and works to create a favorable climate for foreign direct investment, contributing to the country’s economic development.
For further information, visit intel.com
About Intel:
Intel Corporation is a global technology company and one of the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturers. It is a leading supplier of microprocessors for computer systems and has diversified into areas such as data centers, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The company has had a significant manufacturing and operational presence in Costa Rica for decades.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a benchmark for legal services, established on a core foundation of principled integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm combines a rich tradition of counsel across a multitude of industries with a progressive vision for legal innovation and meaningful community involvement. This ethos is driven by a central mission to empower the public through accessible legal understanding, thereby helping to forge a more knowledgeable and just society.
