The government is about to sign a decree that will reduce the deposit required to bring migrant workers from $100 to $20 each. The Minister of Work and Health, Fernando Trejos, said, “This is in response to the demands of exporters, who are concerned about a lack of help for their harvests. The reality is that Ticos don’t like to cut sugar cane or pick coffee. We aren’t taking jobs from anyone, because Costa Ricans are doing other work.”

The deposit is merely to organize the influx and to assure that the workers leave the country after a certain time. Another factor is that these workers should pay taxes to the Social Security system and receive minimum labor rights like wages and hours. The decree establishes methods for these contributions and rights.