Employment & Labor Law in El Salvador: Legal Framework for Employers (2025)

El Salvador’s Labor Code governs employment relationships, setting standards for contracts, working hours, employee benefits, and termination procedures. This 2025 guide outlines key legal obligations for companies hiring in El Salvador, for example after registering a business in El Salvador.

Overview of El Salvador’s Labor Code

In El Salvador, the typical workweek spans 44 hours, providing flexibility through both fixed-term and indefinite employment contracts. The nation establishes a mandated minimum wage, and employees enjoy the privilege of annual paid leave.

Maternity leave is generously granted with full compensation and social security contributions ensure comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The labor laws in place acknowledge the importance of collective bargaining and uphold the right to strike.

Employment Contracts in El Salvador

There are two types of contract allowed under labor law in El Salvador that are most commonly used by foreign investors:

Indefinite contracts

These are the most common type of contract and only end when both the employer and employee come to a mutual agreement, or when one of the parties has the right to act unilaterally. Examples of such circumstances include the employee resigning from their role, or an instance of employee misconduct that warrants dismissal as set out by the contract.

Fixed-term employment contracts

Typically lasting for days, weeks, or months, these generally cannot be for longer than one year. However, they can last for up to two years when the employee holds a professional or technical qualification, or when the task at hand warrants such a contract duration. Such contracts must properly outline the tasks being undertaken and include explicit mention of the conditions under which employment can be terminated, including how the designated task will be deemed complete.

Work Hours, Leave, and Rest Periods

Under employment law in El Salvador, a standard working week lasts for 44 hours, with a normal shift lasting no longer than eight hours. For employees who work at night (specified as being standard hours that fall between 19:00 and 06:00 the following day) the maximum work week is 39 hours long, based on seven-hour shifts.

After completing one year of employment — during which they have worked at least 200 days — an employee is entitled to 15 days of paid vacation leave. That leave is paid at a rate of 130% of their standard daily earnings and must be paid prior to the employee commencing the vacation period. This is standard under employment law in El Salvador.

Note that vacation allowance cannot be exchanged for additional pay unless the employee is leaving their role. For jobs that include room and board allowance, the vacation pay rate is increased by an additional 25%.

• Maternity and paternity leave: A total of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave are granted to new mothers, divided into prenatal and postnatal periods. The leave must be taken with at least six weeks after the due date of the birth. Maternity leave is paid by the state social security fund at a rate of 75% of the salary. Note that during pregnancy a worker cannot be dismissed and cannot be assigned tasks that pose any sort of risk to the unborn child. Under employment law in El Salvador, paternity leave totals three days, both in the case of a birth or adoption, and that leave must be taken within 15 days of the birth or adoption.
• Sick leave: Employees are entitled to leave due to sickness based on the length of service they have provided the company. In the case of employees who have served between one and five months, an entitlement of 20 days of paid sick leave paid at 75% of base salary is given. For employees who have served between five and 12 months, that leave allowance is extended to 40 days at the same 75% pay rate, while those who have served more than one year are entitled to 60 days of paid sick leave. Note that, following a reform of the labor code that came into force in June 2020, an employee who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness cannot be dismissed once that diagnosis has been issued and until three months after the conclusion of related medical treatment.
• Bereavement leave: Bereavement leave is granted in the event of the loss of a parent, child, partner, or another dependant, and lasts for as long as required. However, the employer is only obliged to provide payment equivalent to two days of salary for each calendar month, and a maximum of 15 days of bereavement leave pay in the course of a calendar year.

El Salvador observes several public holidays throughout the year. The key holidays include January 1st (New Year’s Day), Holy Week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), May 1st (International Labor Day), May 10th (Mother’s Day), July 17th (Father’s Day), August 6th (Patron Saint’s Day of San Salvador), September 15th (Independence Day), November 2nd (All Souls Day), and December 25th (Christmas Day). Additionally, local holidays are observed based on regional traditions.

Social Security and Mandatory Benefits

• Employee deductions: Under employment law in El Salvador, deductions are made from employee salaries for both social security and the national death and pension fund, with deductions totaling 10.25% on any salary up to USD$1,000. For social security, a 3% deduction is made, and for the pension fund, a 7.25% deduction is taken from any salary up to USD$7,029 per month.
• Employer contributions: Employer contributions to social security and the pension fund total the equivalent of 15.25% of any salary up to $1,000 per month. That is based on a 7.5% contribution to social security, and a 7.75% contribution to the pension fund. Additionally, companies with more than 10 employees must contribute the equivalent of an additional 1% of salaries to the Salvadoran Institute for Professional Education (INSAFORP).
• Annual bonus: Any employee who has provided at least one year of continuous service by December 12 of a given year is entitled to an annual bonus, also known as an aguinaldo. Those who have worked for less than a year are entitled to a proportional bonus. The bonus must be paid between December 12 and 20 and is based on the length of service: Up to 3 years of service: Minimum bonus equivalent to 15 days of base salary. Between 3 to 10 years of service: Minimum bonus equivalent to 19 days of base salary. Over 10 years of service: Minimum bonus equivalent to 21 days of base salary.

Category — Employer Obligations — Employee Rights

Work Week — Max 44 hours/week; max 8/day — Right to rest days and fair working conditions

Employment Contracts — Must be in writing and comply with Labor Code — Right to know all terms of employment

Social Security — Register with ISSS and AFP systems — Healthcare, retirement, and risk coverage

Annual Leave — 15 days of paid vacation per year after one year of work — Accrual of vacation and holiday benefits

Severance — Pay severance if dismissed without cause — Right to compensation for unfair dismissal

Termination Procedures and Severance Pay

An employee can have their contract terminated without notice within the probation period laid out in their contract, which will usually last for 30 days, however for certain types of employees it can extend for longer. This is one vital aspect of labor law in El Salvador.

Once the probation period has been served, an employee must be guilty of one of a number of actions or behaviors listed under Article 50 of the Salvadoran Labor Code in order to be dismissed with just cause. This is a second important code within employment law in El Salvador.

They include the likes of negligence, failure to properly fulfill duties for two consecutive days, intoxication in the workplace, and disrespectful behavior towards the employer or a fellow employee.

In the event of an employee’s contract being terminated without cause, they will receive a liquidation payment totaling 15 days of standard pay for every year of service they have provided the company. This is standard within labor law in El Salvador.

This benefit is similarly conferred to employees when they resign, and the employer is obliged to provide the payment within 15 days of the employee’s final day of employment.

Departing employees under both circumstances are also entitled to receive a proportion of their statutory end-of-year bonus and payment for outstanding vacations based on the amount of the corresponding year they have worked.

Note that under employment law in El Salvador, most employees are not required to give a notice period when they resign, however, they must provide notification of their resignation in written form.

However, if they are in a management position or undertaking a specialized task, they are obliged to provide 30 days of written “advanced notice” of their intention to resign.

FAQs about employment law in El Salvador

In our experience, these are the common questions and doubtful points of our clients.

1. What are the labor laws in El Salvador?

In El Salvador, the typical workweek spans 44 hours, providing flexibility through both fixed-term and indefinite employment contracts. The nation establishes a mandated minimum wage, and employees enjoy the privilege of annual paid leave. Maternity leave is generously granted with full compensation and social security contributions ensure comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The labor laws in place acknowledge the importance of collective bargaining and uphold the right to strike.

What is the legal workweek in El Salvador?

The maximum workweek is 44 hours, typically 8 hours/day across 5.5 days. Overtime is paid at a minimum of 200% of regular pay.

3. What is the minimum salary in El Salvador?

The minimum wage in El Salvador varies depending on the industry. For retail employees, the minimum wage is US$365.00. Industrial laborers earn a minimum wage of US$359.16 per month. Apparel assembly workers have a minimum wage of US$272.66 per month, while agriculture industry workers earn a minimum wage of US$243.46 per month.

4. What are the requirements for terminating an employee in El Salvador?

Valid grounds for terminating an employee in El Salvador include economic reasons, the worker’s conduct, and the worker’s capacity. In the case of unjustified dismissal, the employer is legally obligated to pay compensation of 30 days of pay for each year of work under the employer. It is good practice to give notice of termination, although it is not a legal requirement in El Salvador. The notice period is specified in the employee’s employment contract. Severance payments are common and typically amount to one month of salary for every year of service. It is common practice to request that an employee provide a minimum of 7 days’ notice after completing their probation.

5.

What happens when an employee quits in El Salvador?

When an employee quits in El Salvador, they are not required to give notice, but they must provide written notification. Upon employment termination, employees are entitled to receive their final pay, which includes wages and other payment entitlements. It is important to note that severance pay is not provided when an employee resigns or when the employment contract’s duration term has ended. However, if a labor court determines that the dismissal was unfair, the employee is entitled to receive pay from the date of dismissal and severance pay. The amount of severance pay is calculated as 30 days’ salary for each year worked.

6. What severance is owed when terminating without cause?

Employees terminated without just cause are entitled to 30 days’ salary per year of service, plus unused benefits.

7. Are written contracts required in El Salvador?

Yes. Written employment contracts are mandatory and must be compliant with the national Labor Code. They must be registered with the Ministry of Labor.

8. How much annual vacation are employees entitled to?

After one year of continuous service, employees are entitled to 15 days of paid vacation, plus national holidays.

9. What contributions must employers make?

Employers must register employees with: SSS (social security) AFP (pension fund) They must also pay into the INSAFORP training fund.

10. Can a foreign company hire staff in El Salvador without an entity?

No. A registered local entity or Employer of Record (EOR) is required to legally employ workers in El Salvador.

Why conduct business in El Salvador?

El Salvador presents a compelling environment for conducting business due to various factors. Employment law in El Salvador ensures a balanced and business-friendly framework that promotes growth. The nation’s strategic location within the Americas facilitates trade and connectivity.

Companies benefit from a skilled and cost-effective workforce, reinforced by employment law in El Salvador, which provides clarity and security for both employers and employees.

Moreover, the country’s proactive efforts to attract foreign investment, including streamlined procedures and incentives, make it an enticing destination for entrepreneurs. Employment law in El Salvador consistently prioritizes fairness and productivity, contributing to a stable labor environment.

Overall, El Salvador’s advantageous business climate, guided by sound employment law overseen by the work ministry, positions it as an attractive choice for those seeking growth and success in Central America.

Biz Latin Hub can assist you when doing business in El Salvador

At Biz Latin Hub, our team of bilingual corporate support experts is available to help you understand and properly implement employment law in El Salvador, as well as many other aspects of doing business in the country.

Our comprehensive portfolio of back-office services includes company formation, accounting & taxation, corporate legal services, visa processing, and hiring & PEO, and we offer tailored packages of integrated services to suit every need.

We also have teams in place in 15 other markets around Latin America and the Caribbean and trusted partners that extend our coverage to almost every corner of the region.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can support you in doing business in El Salvador.

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