With over 83 years of experience, ARIAS is a full-service law firm and the first in Central America to adopt a truly regional model, establishing offices in all six countries. What sets us apart is that we are not an alliance or a joint venture of independent firms, but rather one fully integrated firm, operating under a unified structure and brand across the region. Today, our team of more than 120 lawyers works seamlessly from seven offices, including two desks in Honduras, providing our clients with One Step, One Stop legal service. 

Our Labour and Employment practice provides comprehensive advice on all aspects of labour, employment, health and occupational safety laws applicable to a wide range of industries. We help our clients ensure full compliance with their duties and obligations as employers while supporting them in building fair, safe and efficient workplace environments. 

We also have broad experience advising foreign investors and entrepreneurs on immigration and employment requirements to enter, reside, conduct business and provide services within Central America. Our team regularly assists companies with the recruitment and transfer of international staff, ensuring that all employment and immigration procedures are handled smoothly and in accordance with local regulations. 

ARIAS has developed a solid reputation for conducting legal audits and compliance reviews in connection with mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and joint ventures, ensuring the proper transfer of workforce and adherence to applicable employment laws. We also advise on union or work council consultations, business transfers, post-closing integration, workforce reductions, redundancies and collective lay-offs. 

Our experience includes: 

• Preparation, execution and registration of individual employment contracts (foreign and local)
• Drafting, filing and approval of internal labour regulations and workplace policies
• Registration before mandatory employment authorities and pension fund administrators
• Modifications to employment terms and conditions
• Termination of employment relationships and settlement procedures
• Employer substitutions and transfer of employees
• Hiring expatriates, immigration and work permit submissions
• Outsourcing of employees and payroll management
• Labour audits and compliance assessments
• Drafting internal labour policies, including flexible work arrangements and home office schemes
• Registration of workplaces and compliance with occupational safety requirements
• Training programmes in labour law for Human Resources personnel through LABOUR 360, part of our Arias Conversalaw initiative

With extensive regional expertise and a practical understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape,we provide clients with strategic, preventive and results-driven solutions in all labour and employment matters.