New Special Regime for Workers of Banana Companies and Independent Banana Producers

Law 471 of 16 June 2025 establishes a new special regime for workers of banana companies and independent banana producers. 

The main features of this new regime include:

1. The workers of the banana companies and independent banana producers incorporated into the compulsory regime and the persons incorporated into the voluntary regime, will be entitled to economic benefits from the Social Security Fund, as a daily allowance for illness, as long as the illness causes a 30% incapacity to work, and the worker will benefit with 80% of the salary corresponding to the last two months of contribution at the time the illness occurs.
2. To meet the benefits derived from the special pension from the Social Security Fund, the following resources will be allocated:
   1. Employers will contribute 2.5% of the salaries they pay to their employees.
   2. The State will contribute 6% of the wages paid to workers.
3. Workers of banana companies and independent banana producers shall be entitled to early retirement due to old age when they meet the following requirements:
   1. Have reached fifty-eight years of age for men and fifty-four for women.
   2. Have worked in this activity for at least eighteen years.
   3. Have paid at least 266 contributions to the Social Security Fund.
4. In the event of the death of the worker as a direct consequence of illnesses related to his work in the banana companies, the direct dependents (spouse, minor or disabled children) shall be entitled to a monthly pension equivalent to the basic monthly salary of the insured.
5. The Social Security Fund will recognize a funeral allowance for those who can prove that they have paid the burial expenses, in the case of workers in banana companies and independent banana producers, provided that the insured person has paid six monthly contributions in the last twelve months prior to death.