{"id":15107,"date":"2026-03-12T16:09:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T21:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bustamantefabara.com\/en\/?p=15107"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:07:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T21:07:03","slug":"new-ministerial-agreement-regulating-the-authorization-procedure-for-special-work-shifts-or-schedules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bustamantefabara.com\/en\/new-ministerial-agreement-regulating-the-authorization-procedure-for-special-work-shifts-or-schedules\/","title":{"rendered":"New Ministerial Agreement Regulating the Authorization Procedure for Special Work Shifts or Schedules"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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New Ministerial Agreement Regulating the Authorization Procedure for Special Work Shifts or Schedules<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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On February 27, 2026, the Ministry of Labor issued Ministerial Agreement No.MDT-2026-059, published in the Official Gazette, Fourth Supplement No. 240, on March 10, 2026. This agreement regulates the authorization procedure for special work shifts or schedules, as well as a new modality called the efficient workday for development.<\/p>


Ministerial Agreement MDT-2026-059<\/strong> establishes the following relevant aspects:<\/p>

  1. Special work shifts<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

    Work shifts are considered special (and require authorization from the Ministry) when:<\/p>


    a. Work exceeds five (5) consecutive days and includes additional days or accumulated rest days beyond those established under the ordinary work schedule.<\/p>


    b. Work is performed for fewer than five (5) consecutive days,\u00a0 with rest periods of less than two\u00a0 (2) consecutive days.<\/p>


    Special shifts are justified when the activity cannot be interrupted (for technical reasons or public interest) or when operations require continuity. If schedules do not meet these conditions, they do not require authorization, but only a written agreement between employer and employee.<\/p>


    1.1 Registration of employee consent in the Ministry of Labor\u2019s information system<\/strong><\/p>

    The information reflecting the consent signed between the employer and the employees must be registered in the information system designated by the Ministry of Labor for this purpose within thirty (30) days from the signing of the employment contract or amendment..<\/p>


    2. Special schedules<\/strong><\/p>


    Schedules require authorization when they involve:<\/p>


    a. Rotating schedules;
    b. Day, night, or mixed shifts;
    c. Continuous or discontinuous working days.<\/p>

    If the schedule corresponds to a standard eight (8) hour non-rotating workday, an agreement between the parties will suffice.<\/p>


    Overtime or supplementary hours may also be worked, provided the limits established in the Labor Code are respected.<\/p>


    Note:<\/strong> Special shifts or schedules established in collective bargaining agreements or settlement agreements will remain unchanged.<\/p>


    3. Priority for the hiring of young workers<\/strong><\/p>


    The agreement promotes youth employment (ages 18\u201329):<\/p>