Question 1

How does severance (aguinaldo) work?

Accepted Answer

EnCaja calculates severance automatically according to BPS rules. The system tells you when it's due and the exact amount, so you have no doubts.

Question 2

FaqPage.qHowVacationSalary

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aHowVacationSalary

Question 3

FaqPage.qBpsContributions

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aBpsContributions

Question 4

FaqPage.qIprfFonasaDeductions

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aIprfFonasaDeductions

Question 5

FaqPage.qOvertime

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aOvertime

Question 6

FaqPage.qHolidaysPay

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aHolidaysPay

Question 7

FaqPage.qMinimumWage

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aMinimumWage

Question 8

What happens if regulations change?

Accepted Answer

EnCaja updates automatically when there are changes to BPS regulations or minimum wages. You don't have to do anything — the next payslips will already use the correct values.

Question 9

FaqPage.qAllContributionsIncluded

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aAllContributionsIncluded

Question 10

FaqPage.qCalculationBreakdown

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aCalculationBreakdown

Question 11

FaqPage.qWhatIsAguinaldo

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aWhatIsAguinaldo

Question 12

FaqPage.qAguinaldoDates

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aAguinaldoDates

Question 13

FaqPage.qWhatIsVacation

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aWhatIsVacation

Question 14

FaqPage.qVacationDaysHowMany

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aVacationDaysHowMany

Question 15

FaqPage.qIrpfForEmployee

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aIrpfForEmployee

Question 16

FaqPage.qIrpfBrackets

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aIrpfBrackets

Question 17

FaqPage.qOvertimeLimits

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aOvertimeLimits

Question 18

FaqPage.qSundayWork

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aSundayWork

Question 19

FaqPage.qVacationAccumulated

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aVacationAccumulated

Question 20

FaqPage.qNoShowDays

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aNoShowDays

Question 21

FaqPage.qOvertimeForHolidays

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aOvertimeForHolidays

Question 22

FaqPage.qEmployerBpsAlert

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aEmployerBpsAlert

Question 23

FaqPage.qPaymentReceiptsVsAguinaldo

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aPaymentReceiptsVsAguinaldo

Question 24

FaqPage.qAguinaldoAdvance

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aAguinaldoAdvance

Question 25

FaqPage.qBpsIfEmployeeWorksShortTime

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aBpsIfEmployeeWorksShortTime

Question 26

FaqPage.qSalaryIncludesAguinaldo

Accepted Answer

FaqPage.aSalaryIncludesAguinaldo

Question 27

What are the new domestic work labor categories (General, Cocina, Cuidados)?

Accepted Answer

Starting July 1, 2026, BPS classifies domestic work into three main categories: 1) General: Includes cleaning, washing, ironing, running errands, pet care, and general home maintenance (also includes caretaking or cooking if done in a secondary manner, up to 50% of the working hours). 2) Cocina: Preparing meals for the family from raw ingredients, food handling, and menu planning. 3) Cuidados: Direct, regular care, supervision, feeding, hygiene, and accompaniment of children, adolescents, elderly, or dependent persons.

Question 28

How do I know which category applies to my worker if they perform multiple tasks?

Accepted Answer

It depends on their primary and majority task (more than 50% of their working hours). If they perform cleaning tasks and, in a secondary manner, do caretaking or cooking (up to 50% of the working time), they are still classified under the General category. They only move to Cocina or Cuidados if they perform one of those tasks as their main activity for more than half of their workday. Minor tasks like heating food, washing dishes, peeling vegetables, or setting/clearing the table are not enough to qualify for Cocina.

Question 29

If I change my worker's category, do I have to raise their salary?

Accepted Answer

If the salary you already pay is above the minimum of the new category, there is no obligation to raise it just because of the category change. If it is below the new minimum, yes: you are legally required to adjust it to reach the minimum wage of that category.

Question 30

What are the minimum wages per category starting July 2026?

Accepted Answer

The minimum nominal wages for a full 44-hour workweek are: General $32,051 (monthly) and $169 (hourly); Cocina $33,796 (monthly) and $178 (hourly); Cuidados $34,885 (monthly) and $184 (hourly). If they work fewer hours, the amounts are calculated proportionally.

Question 31

Besides the categories, is there a general domestic salary increase in July 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are independent mechanisms. In addition to the category minimums, there is a mandatory salary increase by brackets for all domestic workers hired before June 30, 2026. This increase is calculated as a percentage (between 1.7% and 2.8% depending on their nominal salary as of June 30) regardless of their category.

Question 32

Can my worker's salary decrease if I reclassify them to a category with a lower minimum?

Accepted Answer

No. Changing the category must reflect the worker's real task, and it is never a tool to reduce their salary. Legally, the already agreed nominal salary cannot be lowered due to an administrative category change or because the new category has a lower minimum wage.

Calculations & Laws

Our team is here to help