Migrants are often hired on short-term contracts and paid less than the minimum wage. In addition to low pay, migrants often lack a residency card and the protections that come with it. These workers may be subject to exploitative employment terms, lack access to social security or health services, and often work in unsafe conditions.^[1]

Health risks

Agricultural workers often work in unsafe and harsh conditions, especially in the pineapple, banana and sugarcane sectors. Exposure to chemicals without proper training is common, with the pineapple and banana plantations using high volumes of hazardous pesticides. Workers and communities near plantations have higher rates of disabilities, miscarriages and cancer than average.^[2] Among sugarcane cutters, insufficient access to drinking water and shade breaks often lead to heat stress and dehydration.^[3]

Child labour and labour issues

There are strong indications that worst forms of forced child labour occur in the agricultural sector of Costa Rica, mainly in the coffee sector.^[4] Child labour primarily occurs in the informal sector and most often involves indigenous children and the children of seasonal workers.^[5]

The ITUC Global Rights Index, which assesses workers’ rights violations, gives Costa Rica a score of 2 out of 5, based on systematic violations of labour rights. The government and/or companies have frequently undermined the struggle for better working conditions.^[6] For example, the right to freedom of association is systematically violated in the Costa Rican pineapple and banana industries.^{[7] [8]} Similarly, the right to sick leave has been threatened.^[9]

Labour laws are set on a national level to protect workers' rights and assign employers’ obligations and responsibilities. To better understand labour, social security and human rights legislation in Costa Rica, visit NATLEX, a database developed by the International Labour Organization. Similarly, the WageIndicator Foundation provides detailed information about Costa Rica’s labour law and examples of collective bargaining agreements used by different corporations in Costa Rica.