Labor & Employment Laws in Chile
Chile is a South American country with approximately 16 million residents. The country has strong labor and employment laws, which regulate everything from child labor to the minimum wage. Although Chilean labor laws generally protect many common types of employment rights, they are not always enforced as strictly as labor laws in other countries.
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Unions
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Labor laws in Chile permit workers to unionize freely, without government approval or authorization. Individuals may withdraw from unions at any time, and members may freely form or disband unions. Closed union shops are not permitted, however, and personnel involved in military or police operations may not unionize. All private employees may go on strike, while public and government employees may not. Organizations are free to hire temporary employees to replace striking workers, but are subject to fines, which are then distributed among strikers.
Child Labor
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Chile has many laws in place designed to prevent child labor, but enforcement often is weak. Children under the age of 15 may not work at all, and those between the ages of 15 and 18 may work only with parental permission. All employees under the age of 18 must attend school, and may not work in hazardous positions, including nightclubs, mining or heavy industrial jobs. Those between the ages of 18 and 21 may not work in mining or any jobs that require working underground.
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Minimum Wage
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The Chilean government sets the minimum wage that a worker can be paid each month. The government adjusts this minimum wage annually based on inflation and other factors. In Chile, minimum wage positions are designed to support a single, unskilled employee, and usually are not high enough to support an entire family. Minimum wages for domestic servants are set at 75 percent of the standard minimum for all other positions, although this standard is rarely enforced. As of July 1, 2009, the monthly minimum wage is set at 165,000 Chilean pesos, or approximately $302 U.S. dollars.
Work Hours
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Employment laws in Chile set maximum working hours at either 45 hours or six days per week. Employees may not work more than 10 hours per day, and must be paid overtime rates for any hours beyond the typical eight-hour day. Employers must provide all employees with one full 24-hour period of nonwork each week. Domestic employees are exempt from these requirements, but are entitled to 11 public holidays each year, as are all other workers in Chile.
Working Conditions
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The Chilean Ministry of Health and Labor sets worker health and safety regulations. These laws are among the most strictly enforced labor laws in the country. The ministry requires employers to provide workers' compensation coverage and safety training for all employees. Workplaces must be free of hazardous conditions, and workers must be protected from dangerous substances or chemicals. Also strictly enforced in the workplace are fire safety codes.
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References
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