Costa Rica to implement ILO Convention 190 workplace harassment rules

Costa Rica is set to implement the full effects of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190 starting October 2, 2026. This transition introduces a comprehensive framework to prevent and address violence and harassment in the workplace, filling a legal gap in the country where no single, consolidated law currently governs both public and private sectors.

A significant shift under this treaty is the expanded definition of harassment. Unlike previous standards that often required repeated behavior, the new framework allows for a single incident to be classified as harassment if it is capable of causing physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm. This change is already being reflected in Costa Rican jurisprudence, with recent court rulings moving away from the requirement of repetitive conduct.

Legal experts note that businesses must now move beyond basic internal guidelines toward a proactive overhaul of corporate culture. Compliance will require rigorous preventive protocols, sensitive investigation procedures, and continuous training to meet the new statutory obligations.