The establishment of the minimum wage constitutes a fundamental right supported by the Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala and international agreements, as per the International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation 135. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, in an effort to safeguard this essential right, has strengthened the General Labor Inspection Office and performed adjustments based on technical criteria.
For the upcoming year, the following increase in the minimum wage for all economic activities, effective from January 1, 2024, has been established: in Economic Circumscription 1 (Guatemala), there will be a 6.0% increase. In Economic Circumscription 2 (the rest of the country), the increase will be 4.3%. Additionally, a monthly incentive bonus of Q250 will be added.
This adjustment based on technical criteria is intended to consolidate the wage-setting system as a tool for economic and social development, thereby promoting decent employment and formal labor.
Employers are urged to comply with the established guidelines and keep employment contract records up to date. The General Labor Inspection Office will conduct inspections to verify compliance with these matters. Any non-compliance identified during said inspections will be penalized according to the provisions of the Labor Code.