--- title: "#ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS_LaborAlert: MTPS Clarifies Scope of Extension for 2025 Christmas Bonus Payment Period" description: Christmas Bonus Payment Period image: https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hubfs/cerrar-las-manos-contando-dinero.jpg --- [![BDS blanco ingles](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BDS%20blanco%20ingles.png?width=100&height=50&name=BDS%20blanco%20ingles.png "BDS blanco ingles")](https://www.bdsasesores.com) - [Team](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/team/) - [Services](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/services/) - Blog - [Labor Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog) - [Corporate Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/apriori-blog?hsLang=en-us) - [Store](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/tienda/) - [Contact](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/contact/) - English - [English](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=en-us) - [Español](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=es-cr) ![](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Theme-Delight%20BDS%20Asesores/images/logo-BDS-blanco-jul25.png?width=200&name=logo-BDS-blanco-jul25.png) ##### Nov 5, 2025 4:00:00 PM ##### 1 min. read #ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS\_LaborAlert: MTPS Clarifies Scope of Extension for 2025 Christmas Bonus Payment Period 2:21 # #ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS\_LaborAlert: MTPS Clarifies Scope of Extension for 2025 Christmas Bonus Payment Period The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MTPS in Spanish) clarified that the recent legal reform regarding the 2025 **Christmas bonus *(aguinaldo)* affects only the payment period**, **not the reference date for calculation.** This clarification stems from the fact that the law was published **after the newly established reference date** (October 20). Specifically,  the law was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of El Salvador on **October 15,** Volume No. 449, Issue No. 194, and stipulated that it would enter into force on **October 23**. As such, it **cannot be applied retroactively this year** due to constitutional restrictions on non-public order laws. At a press conference on October 24, Labor Minister Rolando Castro explained that, **exclusively for 2025**, both **public and private sector** employers may choose to pay the bonus early in October or **maintain the traditional payment date**, provided it is made before **December 20**, at the employer’s discretion. The President of the Republic clarified that, **in the case of the private sector**, if an employer chooses to take advantage of the option to advance the Christmas bonus payment, the bonus must be **calculated** **as if it were paid in December**, and the employer must assume the corresponding risk in the event of resignation or termination of the employment contract prior to that date. Employers who wish to avoid such risk may **maintain payment within the ordinary timeframe.** Therefore, employers may, **for this year**, preserve the original reference date **(December 12)** for the calculation and average of the bonuses to be paid during 2025, in order to avoid **unforeseen financial impacts and accounting inconsistencies** arising from the change; or **they may** **pay the bonus early** in accordance with the new provision, while considering the consequences mentioned above. It is important to note that this option applies **only to 2025**. Starting in **2026**, all provisions of **Decree No. 433** will be fully applicable to the calculation of Christmas bonuses. Please contact us if you have questions or require legal assistance regarding the correct compliance with this labor obligation for employees in your company.   [![I have a question](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6302490/b09e136c-59db-46ae-bb16-f7b6bb7d7ffa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6302490/b09e136c-59db-46ae-bb16-f7b6bb7d7ffa) [« Volver](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=en-us) [Recursos Humanos](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/recursos-humanos), [Human Resources](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/human-resources), [Labor Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/labor-law), [Legal Talent Hub](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/legal-talent-hub), [Littler Latin America](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/littler-latin-america) ## Otros artículos #### #CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS\_LaborAlert: Public Sector Holiday Declared for Presidential Inauguration Ceremony The Government of Costa Rica has declared a **public sector holiday for all government offices and...** #### #ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS\_LaborAlert: New Provisions on the Christmas Bonus Following Labor Code Reform and Their Implications for Employers The recent reform enacted by the Legislative Assembly introduces **significant changes to Articles...** #### #ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS\_LaborAlert: 12% Increase to Minimum Wage Approved, Effective June Effective **June 1, 2025**, the **new minimum wage rates** in El Salvador will come into force, as... ![BDS-color-ingles-130](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hubfs/BDS-color-ingles-130.png) #### Subscribe here! 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