The active population in figures

Note: (e) Estimated data

Working conditions

Legal weekly duration

45 hours

Retirement age

65 years

Working contracts

The majority of the Guatemalan workers do not have a work contract, they are part of the informal sector. For the remainder, there are 3 types of written contracts which have to be signed in triplicate: one copy for the employee, one copy for the employer and one copy has to be remitted to the administrative department of labor.  See Ministry of Labor website (in Spanish).

- Open ended contract
- Temporary contract
- A contract for a specific project or the length of the contract is dependant on the completion of a specific project.

There are also verbal contracts which are valid for domestic services, labor in fields and temporary work not exceeding 60 days, however, the employer has to provide a document with the date of commencement  of work and the salary amount.
Refer to the Labor Code

Cost of labor

Minimum wage

USD 6.95 per day in the agricultural sector and USD 7.12 in the non-agricultural sector.

Average wage

The average salary more or less corresponds to the minimum salary.  There are often salary brackets negotiated by each sector like in the textile industry for example.

Social contributions

Social security contributions paid by employers: 10.67%
Social security contributions paid by employees: 4.83%

Social partners

Social dialogue and involvement of social partners

The two most representative Unions are: The Central Agricultural Workers, Guatemala Confederation of Syndicate Unity  (CUSG) and the Central Guatemalan Workers (C.G.T.G.), Guatemalan Workers Union Syndicate (UNSITRAGUA).

Unions

Guatemala unions website

Unionization rate

It has to be noted that the unions do not have a lot of power; only 8% of employees in the formal sector belong to a union.

Labor regulation bodies

Ministry of Labor and Social Security