On August 8, 2023, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law Act No. 85-2023, effective immediately. The statute amends Puerto Rico’s Workers’ Compensation Act by further incentivizing safe workplaces.
Articles About Puerto Rico Labor And Employment Law
First Circuit Affirms Decision to Strike Down Amendments to Puerto Rico 2017 Employment Law Reform
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a federal district court’s decision that declared null and void ab initio Puerto Rico Act 41-2022. Financial Oversight Board v. Hernandez Montañez et al., No. 23-1267 (1st Cir. Aug. 10, 2023).
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Rules PR-DOL Christmas Bonus Exemption Decree Was Inapplicable to Unionized Employees
On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico issued an Opinion and Order interpreting an employer’s obligation to pay the Christmas Bonus to employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Writing for the Court, Judge Rafael Martínez Torres reasoned that because the Puerto Rico Department of
How Puerto Rico’s New Minimum Wage Changes Impact the Retail Industry
When the Puerto Rico Minimum Wage Act, Act No. 47-2021, went into effect, in addition to the three hourly rate increases set out in the law, a new Minimum Wage Review Board appointed by the governor was to periodically review the minimum wage and announce increases every two years. However, the governor has not appointed all Board members and the Board has not begun operations. There is no certainty if or when the minimum wage will be increased again after the July 1, 2024, increase.
Next Puerto Rico Minimum Wage Increase: July 1, 2023
Puerto Rico’s second automatic increase in the minimum wage is July 1, 2023, from $8.50 per hour to $9.50 per hour.
Puerto Rico Five-Day Paid Leave for COVID-19 Ends as Governor Ends Related State of Emergency
The governor of Puerto Rico has issued Executive Order No. OE-2023-012, ending the state of emergency declared in 2020 due to the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and repealing multiple Executive Orders issued to adopt preventive measures because of COVID-19. OE-2023-012, signed on May 11, 2023, went into effect immediately.
Littler Global Guide – Puerto Rico – Q1 2023
Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
View all Q1 2023 Global Guide Quarterly updates Download full Q1 2023 Global Guide Quarterly
Puerto Rico House Seeks Injunction on Court Decision Striking Down 2022 Labor Reform
The struggle to provide certainty on employment issues to the private sector in Puerto Rico is not over.
Employee Benefits and Rights in Puerto Rico: What to Know Now That Law 41-2022 Has Been Declared Null and Void
On March 3, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico issued a decision declaring Law 41-2022 null and void, effectively reinstating the prior state of many of Puerto Rico’s employment statutory entitlements. The decision will impact employees’ statutory benefits and rights, including vacation pay and sick
Nullified ab initio: What Employers in Puerto Rico Need to Know About the Decision to Nullify the New Labor Reform Bill (Act No. 41-2022)
The District Court for the District of Puerto Rico has nullified Act No. 41-2022, enacted in June 2022, which had instituted significant changes to labor and employment laws in Puerto Rico. Employers in Puerto Rico are once again subject to the law as it was prior to the
Federal Court Strikes Down Amendments to Puerto Rico 2017 Employment Law Reform
Less than a year after its enactment, a federal district court has declared null and void Puerto Rico Act 41-2022, a law that rolled back parts of the 2017 employment law reform. Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico v. Pierluisi Urrutia, No. 17 BK 3283-LTS (D. P.R. March 3, 2023). Accordingly, the 2017 Puerto Rico employment law reform is back in full force.
Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury Announces 2023 Limits on Qualified Retirement Plans
The Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury recently issued Internal Revenue Circular Letter No. 23-01 (CL IR 23-01) announcing the applicable 2023 limits for Puerto Rico qualified retirement plans.
Puerto Rico Adds Legal Protections for Interns, Right to Paid Internships
The Puerto Rico Fair Internships Act, Act No. 114-2022 (Act 114), seeks to protect students and recent graduates by guaranteeing paid internships and establishing other legal rights for interns.
Puerto Rico Employers Offering Internship Programs Must Comply with New Law
On December 27, 2022, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi signed Act 114 of 2022, known as the “Puerto Rico Fair Internships Act” (Act. 114) into law. Act 114 seeks to offer compensatory protections to students who are part of internship programs where existing state and labor legislation do not.
Puerto Rico Publishes Model Protocol for Expanded Sexual Harassment Law
The Puerto Rico Department of Labor (PRDOL) has published the anticipated Model Protocol to Prevent and Manage Cases of Sexual Harassment in Employment. This comes following the enactment of Act 82-2022, which expanded coverage of the sexual harassment law (Act 17-1988) to interns, required employers to adopt a protocol, and directed the PRDOL to provide a model protocol.