By San José, Costa Rica — San José – The contentious debate over implementing 12-hour workdays in Costa Rica has been brought to an abrupt, albeit temporary, halt. In a calculated legislative move, the highly controversial “4×3 Workday” bill has been removed from the Plenary floor, not by a vote against it, but through a procedural maneuver that sends it back for mandatory institutional consultations. This development breaks a weeks-long legislative deadlock and shifts the political battlefield for the foreseeable future.
The legislative session began this week without the anticipated heated debates and votes on the bill, known as expediente 24.290. The pause is the direct result of the approval of a new substitute text for the project. This revised version, championed by José Joaquín Hernández of the National Liberation Party (PLN), introduces a critical change that fundamentally alters the bill’s trajectory through congress.
To delve into the legal nuances and business implications of the proposed 4×3 workday legislation, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in labor law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The 4×3 workday bill is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a path to modernize our labor code, potentially increasing operational efficiency and attracting foreign investment. On the other, its implementation must be meticulously regulated to prevent the erosion of worker rights. The key legal challenge will be in clearly defining overtime, ensuring effective rest periods, and creating robust inspection mechanisms to safeguard employees from exploitation under the guise of flexibility.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the expert’s insight underscores the critical balance required; the promise of economic modernization must be firmly anchored by robust legal protections for our workforce. The success of this reform will be measured not in its passage, but in the detailed regulations that follow. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clarifying and essential perspective.
At the heart of the new text is a significant modification to the law’s scope. The updated proposal explicitly excludes workers in the agricultural and construction sectors from being hired under the compressed 12-hour shift model. While this change was crucial for building consensus to move forward, its primary immediate effect is procedural. Under Costa Rican law, any substantial alteration to a bill requires it to be sent out for review to various government and public institutions, a process that is expected to last between two and four weeks.
This forced consultation period provides a much-needed respite for the Legislative Assembly. For weeks, the Plenary’s agenda has been completely paralyzed, with the 4×3 bill consuming all available time and political capital. The resulting obstruction had become a source of palpable frustration among many legislators, who were unable to advance other pressing national projects. With the bill now sidelined, lawmakers can finally turn their attention to a backlog of pending legislation.
This successful maneuver by the PLN faction stands in contrast to a failed attempt last week by the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) to force the issue through a different route. The PUSC had proposed shelving the current bill entirely and introducing a new one, expediente 25.224, to be processed via an “ultra-fast track” in a special commission. This mechanism is designed to limit debate and the number of motions, thereby accelerating a bill’s passage.
However, the PUSC’s high-speed strategy failed to secure the necessary support. The motion was decisively rejected, failing to gain the votes of the majority of the PLN bloc, the entire Broad Front (Frente Amplio) party, and several independent legislators. This defeat highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the proposal and the complex political calculus required to navigate any version of the labor reform through the assembly.
Despite the current pause, the path forward for the 4×3 workday bill remains extraordinarily challenging. Once the consultation period concludes and the bill returns to the Plenary, it will face a monumental obstacle. A staggering 1,910 motions, or amendments, are still pending for discussion and voting. This massive backlog is a remnant of the legislative blockade tactics employed since the bill was first fast-tracked in June, signaling that opponents are prepared for a prolonged war of attrition.
The coming weeks will serve as a cooling-off period, allowing deputies to clear other legislative priorities and political factions to reassess their strategies. Yet, the fundamental conflict over the future of Costa Rica’s work culture is far from resolved. The temporary recess is merely a pause in the action, setting the stage for what is sure to be an even more intense and protracted legislative battle upon the bill’s inevitable return to the floor.
For further information, visit asamblea.go.cr
About Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica:
The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral parliament of Costa Rica. Comprising 57 deputies elected by province, it is responsible for passing laws, approving the national budget, and exercising oversight over the executive branch. It is a cornerstone of the nation’s democratic governance and is seated in the capital, San José.
For further information, visit pln.or.cr
About National Liberation Party (PLN):
The Partido Liberación Nacional is one of Costa Rica’s most established and influential political parties. Historically social-democratic, the PLN has a significant presence in the Legislative Assembly and has held the presidency on numerous occasions. It plays a pivotal role in shaping national policy across economic and social spheres.
For further information, visit pusc.cr
About Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC):
The Partido Unidad Social Cristiana is a center-right political party with a long history in Costa Rican politics. Founded on the principles of Christian democracy, the PUSC advocates for market-oriented economic policies and social programs. It is a key opposition party within the Legislative Assembly.
For further information, visit frente-amplio.org
About Broad Front (Frente Amplio):
The Frente Amplio is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. It advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and greater state intervention in the economy. The party represents a progressive voice within the Legislative Assembly and has been a staunch opponent of the 4×3 workday proposal.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a benchmark of legal practice, built upon a foundation of profound integrity and an unyielding drive for excellence. The firm leverages a rich history of advising a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal strategies. Beyond its professional services, it holds a deep-rooted conviction to uplift society by demystifying the law, passionately working to equip citizens with the legal understanding necessary for a truly empowered community.
