Internal Working Regulations in Costa Rica

1. General description The present project proposal is submitted to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada with a view to supporting the strategic measures set forth in the operationalization and promotion of the ILO Decent Work Agenda in Costa Rica. Building on the ILO’s mandate and tripartite membership, a key strategy of the project is to strengthen employers’ and workers’ organizations for the development of a meaningful and continued process of social dialogue in this case at the enterprise level. The project will aim to develop and test standardized tools and methodologies for ensuring that the process leading to the approval of IWRs is efficient and to promote their use among workplaces across the country. The project will make a concrete contribution to ITLP by assisting the Government of Canada meet its commitment to address the labour dimensions of international trade and economic integration. By strengthening the MTSS capacity to respond more efficiently to employers interested in having IWRs that foster better labour relations among employers and workers in Costa Rica. Ultimately, the project will promote good governance and the rule of law, and respect for labour rights and international labour standards. As indicated above, the adoption of IWRs, coupled with adequate labour inspection to ensure their enforcement in the workplace, will provide clear and specific rules that are known and respected by each party (employers and workers). In that sense, IWRs foster better labour relations which in turn provide an opportunity to improve compliance with labour rights and, more generally, ensure good governance and the protection of labour rights. In order to achieve the above, the MTSS needs to have the capacity to analyse and approve IWRs in a timely fashion and, secondly, to generate greater interest from the employers to have IWRs in place. This project is clearly aligned with the national strategy and interests of the Ministry of Labour (official letter enclosed). The project will contribute to the National Development Plan 2011 – 2014, particularly to Objective 3, which focuses on the Promotion of Decent Work through tutelage of labour rights.

Project symbol

COS/11/01/CAN

Admin unit

DWT/CO-San Jose

Start date

25/03/2011

End date

24/09/2012

Total allocation

99322

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

99322

Development Partners

Canada, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, International Labour Affairs

Country/Countries

Costa Rica

Outcomes

Labour Administration and Labour Law