No, child labor under 14 is illegal in Costa Rica, as established by the Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Law No. 7739) and the Ley contra el Trabajo Infantil (Law No. 9265). The Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) enforces strict prohibitions, aligning with ILO Convention 138. Exceptions exist only for light agricultural work with parental consent and school approval, but never in hazardous sectors.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Costa Rica
- Absolute Prohibition: Article 58 of Law No. 7739 bans employment for children under 14, with no exceptions for formal or informal sectors. Violations trigger fines up to 100 base salaries (₡35M in 2024) and criminal liability for employers.
- Light Work Exemptions: Children aged 12–13 may perform trabajo ligero (e.g., agricultural tasks) under Decreto Ejecutivo No. 37898-MTSS, provided it does not interfere with schooling or exceed 14 hours weekly. Parental and Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) approval is mandatory.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The MTSS is drafting updates to Law No. 9265 to harmonize with the Plan Nacional para la Erradicación del Trabajo Infantil 2026–2030, introducing digital monitoring tools for real-time inspections and stricter penalties for repeat offenders.