On March 28, the Ministry of Labor amended the Ministerial Agreement MDT-2020-077, regarding guidelines on the application of reduction, modification or emergency suspension of work activities during the sanitary emergency.

Working-day schedule modification

Employer that modifies working schedule due to the sanitary emergency, must allow their workers to rest for 2 consecutive days.

Suspension of work activities

  • Employer is entitled to recover the period on which activities were suspended, increasing the working schedule up to 12 hours during the week and 8 hours on Saturdays.
  • Employer and workers may agree on a wage payment schedule during the period on which activities are suspended.

Emergency vacation planning

During the health emergency, employer may require its workers to take any vacations days they have available. Employer may also agree with their workers to take early vacations, to do so, the corresponding vacation request must be submitted.

Working conditions modifications

Employer and workers may agree on work alternatives established in the existing regulations, due to conditions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the mobilization impossibility, prevention infection risks and employer´s financial status. All these must not imply a waiver to workers’ rights.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.