As of May 4th, all companies that have more than 30 female employees are required to have a breastfeeding room in their facilities, according to a decree signed by former President Luis Guillermo Solís.
The decree establishes a maximum period of 12 months since the decree was signed (May 4th 2018) for employers to enable these spaces, with certain specific conditions. Otherwise, companies are exposed to penalties of around 23 base salaries, which could be more than 10 million colones at the current calculation.
In addition, in case of non-compliance, the Ministry of Health could apply special sanitary measures such as the closure of the establishment.
The decree published explains that this rule is issued with the aim of providing special protection to the mother and baby, as ordered by the Political Constitution. However, it mentions that entrepreneurs also benefit. According to the document
children fed with breast milk get sick 50% less than those who receive artificial milk. They accelerate and increase workers’ return rate by reducing the costs associated with new hires and the training of new staff, in addition to allowing an earlier reincorporation and even the retention of qualified personnel and to improve the working environment and the satisfaction of the workers by reducing their stress levels.”
Breastfeeding rooms must have specific characteristics, including a minimum dimension of six square meters, air renewal through natural or artificial ventilation, cleaning plan, a refrigerator, chairs, sink, trash cans, among other specifications. In addition, the decree establishes that these rooms cannot be used as offices or have other purposes.