Top tech talent in Latin America: local benefits guide

When you’re looking to hire top tech talent in Latin America, understanding the cultural benefits they’re accustomed to is crucial. In today’s global demand for tech skills, offering competitive compensation and benefits is paramount.

Exploring industry standards and typical compensation packages in the region is essential. Analyzing potential contracts and budget constraints can help tailor an attractive offer to prospective employees. Let’s look at two countries where Top Latin Talent has different tech talent: Colombia and Argentina.

Benefits for Top Talent in Colombia

Colombia has six types of contracts (Fixed-term contracts, Indefinite-term contracts, Work contracts, Civil contracts for service provision, Occasional work contracts, and Internship contracts).

1. For salaried employee, for fixed-term (one to three years) or indefinite contracts, there are mandatory benefits such as:

1. “Prima”: Equivalent to 30 days’ salary per year worked, divided into two payments before June 30th and December 20th.
2. Working hours: Up to 48 hours per week with at least one paid day off every six days.
3. Occupational Risk Administrators: Employers must provide coverage to protect workers against workplace risks.
4. “Auxilio de Cesantías”: Employers must pay annual interest of 12% on severance pay by December 31st of each year.
5. Remote work allowance: Employers can agree to a monthly stipend for internet, phone, and energy costs, typically equal to the government-set transport allowance, around $36.

Additionally, there are mandatory holidays and licenses, including:

• Vacation: Employees are entitled to 15 consecutive paid vacation days after one year of service.
• Bereavement leave: Five paid days in case of the death of a spouse, permanent partner, or close family member.
• Maternity leave: 18 weeks, with exceptions for multiple or premature births.
• Abortion or non-viable premature birth leave: 2 to 4 paid weeks.
• Paternity leave: 2 weeks.
• Voting leave: Half a paid day off for voting.
• Temporary official positions: One paid day off for temporary official duties.
• Severe domestic calamity: Leave duration corresponds to the grave situation affecting the employee’s household.
• Union commission duties: Employers must allow unionized workers to attend union meetings or activities during working hours.
• Attending coworkers’ funerals: Employers must allow workers to attend coworkers’ funerals during working hours.

2. Benefits for Independent contractors

For those considering independent contractor agreements in Colombia, known as “Contrato Civil por Prestación de Servicios,” the arrangement differs. Contractors negotiate their remuneration directly and do not have the same benefits as salaried employees. This setup offers flexibility regarding tasks and timelines agreed upon between both parties.

Benefits for Top Talent in Argentina

Similar to Colombia, Argentina offers different contract types (Fixed-term employment contracts, Part-time employment contracts, Seasonal employment contracts, Casual employment contracts, and Group or team employment contracts).

1. For salaried employees, indefinite contracts last until retirement age or fixed-term contracts, benefits for Argentine employees include:

1. “Aguinaldo” (Annual Bonus): Paid in two installments, typically on June 30th and December 18th each year.
2. Mandatory social security contributions, including retirement, work risk insurance, life insurance, health coverage, and employment funds.
3. Remote work: Teleworkers have the right to be provided with means to work remotely and technical support.Like Colombia, Argentina mandates official holidays and some licenses as:

• Vacation: Annual paid leave to ensure the well-being of workers.
  
• Less than five years: 14 consecutive days.
• 5 to 10 years: 21 consecutive days.
• 10 to 20 years: 28 consecutive days.
• More than 20 years: 35 consecutive days.
• Maternity leave.
• Birth of a child: 2 consecutive days.
• Marriage: 10 consecutive days.
• Death of a spouse, partner, children, or parents: 3 consecutive days.
• Death of a sibling: 1 day.
• Exams in secondary or university education: 2 consecutive days per exam, up to a maximum of 10 days per calendar year.

2. Benefits for independent contractors in Argentina

Known as “Contrato de Trabajo Eventual,” revolve around flexibility in labor arrangements. Employers can engage workers for specific tasks or projects without a fixed timeline, providing agility in responding to workload fluctuations or project-based needs.

Understanding these nuances in compensation and benefits is essential for attracting and retaining top tech talent in Latin America. By offering competitive packages tailored to each country’s regulations and cultural norms, companies can position themselves as attractive employers in the region’s thriving tech landscape.