We are dealing with a proposed law that could change personnel management. It is initiative 6412, known as the “Seat Law,” presented by Byron Rodríguez, deputy head of the TODOS bloc. The Labor Commission has given this law a favorable opinion, and it will, therefore, move forward in the approval process.
What is the aim of this law?
Its purpose is to prohibit workers from having to stand for their entire working day, so employers will have to provide them with a chair so that they can take breaks at certain intervals during the day.
This initiative will affect jobs such as cashiers, security guards, shop staff, waiters, among others, and, although it seeks to ensure that these people do not suffer damage to their health, the content may have unintended consequences.
Specifically, the law aims to reform the Labor Code to include:
- Prohibiting employers from forcing workers to remain standing for the entire working day or prohibiting them from taking a seat periodically while performing their duties.
- The obligation for employers to provide a sufficient number of seats or chairs with backrests in work areas, either for the performance of duties or for workers to take periodic breaks.
- The obligation to allow a minimum of 15 minutes of rest for every 3 hours of continuous work. Chairs for breaks should be located in specific areas designated for this purpose.
- Although the obligation is direct for the employer, when they provide services to third parties, the contracting party must collaborate in this obligation.
There will also be immediate consequences such as fines and labor sanctions. Similarly, we believe that the law may have an immediate impact on some types of customer service work, such as cooks, waiters, security personnel, etc.
We will inform you of any progress this initiative may make in the Congress of the Republic.