⚡ DIRECT ACCESS TO MINTRAB
Ministry of Labor & Social Welfare — Guatemala
Which one to use?
- MINTRAB Portal — institutional, programs, news, labor laws
- Labor Clearance — electronic clearance for bidding, loans, notarial documents (Q30)
- RECIT — register individual employment contracts (free, mandatory)
- Complaints 1511 — labor abuse, non-payment, unfair dismissal (free hotline 24/7)
📞 Tel: 2422-2500 · 📞 Hotline: 1511 · 📍 Torre Empresarial, 7a Avenida 3-33 Zona 9, Guatemala City · 🕐 Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 · 🆔 Verified: May 2026
MINTRAB (Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social) regulates the employment relationship in Guatemala — from registering each individual contract and workplace safety obligations, to handling labor abuse complaints. For companies, MINTRAB compliance is the second compliance block (after SAT and before IGSS).
Quick rule: Are you an employer? → Register every contract in RECIT, keep the Salary Book current, register your RIT if you have 10+ employees, and report accidents within 24 hours. Are you a worker being abused? → Call 1511 (free, 24/7) or file at denuncias.mintrabajo.gob.gt.
MINTRAB sub-portals
| Portal | Purpose |
|---|---|
| mintrabajo.gob.gt | Institutional site — programs, news, press room, documents |
| solvencias.mintrabajo.gob.gt | Electronic labor clearance (Q30, 8 days) |
| recit.mintrabajo.gob.gt | RECIT V2 — individual employment contract registry (free) |
| librosalarios.mintrabajo.gob.gt | Electronic Salary Book (free, mandatory) |
| rerit.mintrabajo.gob.gt | RERIT — Internal Work Rules registry (free) |
| informeynomina2989.mintrabajo.gob.gt | Employer Report and Payroll 29-89 & Free Trade Zones |
| denuncias.mintrabajo.gob.gt | Online labor complaints (anonymous allowed) |
| seica.mintrabajo.gob.gt | SEICA — Electronic System for Inspection and Administrative Control |
| uip.mintrabajo.gob.gt | Public Information Unit — Information Access Law |
Most-searched MINTRAB trámites
For employers (B2B)
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Labor Clearance | Q30 | 8 business days |
| RECIT — Employment Contract Registration | Free | 3 business days |
| Electronic Salary Book | Free | 3-5 business days |
| RERIT — Internal Work Rules Registration | Free | 30 business days |
| Workplace Accident Registration | Free | Immediate |
| Employer Report 29-89 & Free Trade Zones | Free | Immediate |
| Foreign Worker Permit (PEX) | Q1,000-2,500 | 30-60 days |
| Workplace Health & Safety Committee Registration | Free | 15 days |
| Workplace Safety Training Provider Registration | Free | 30 days |
For workers (B2C)
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Benefits Calculator (Cálculo de Prestaciones) | Free | Online calculator |
| Labor Complaint (1511 hotline) | Free | Anonymous option |
Active MINTRAB programs
| Program | Audience |
|---|---|
| Programa del Adulto Mayor (PAM) | Elderly in extreme poverty without IGSS pension — Q400/month |
| Temporary Work Abroad | Guatemalans for temporary jobs in Canada, USA (H-2A/H-2B visa) |
| Beca Mi Primer Empleo | Youth 18-29 — training + job placement |
| Trade Schools and Employment Workshops | Free technical training in trades |
| Mujer Trabajadora | Labor rights advisory with gender focus |
| Servicio Nacional de Empleo | Free national job board — register CV, view vacancies |
Before complying with MINTRAB obligations — employer checklist
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Active SAT NIT | Tax identification, linked to contracts |
| MINECO Patente de Comercio | Mercantile Registry must be current |
| IGSS employer enrollment | Mandatory if you have 3+ employees (5+ in special categories) |
| MINTRAB account / e-signature | To access electronic portals (RECIT, RERIT, Solvencias) |
| Employer or legal rep DPI | Valid, scanned |
| Notarial act of legal representation | If signer is not the owner |
| Economic activity codes | Same as on SAT (CIIU codes) |
Diaspora — employers and workers in the USA
If you’re a Guatemalan business owner living in the USA with a company in Guatemala
- You can fulfill 100% of MINTRAB obligations online from the USA — all portals (RECIT, RERIT, Solvencias, Salary Book) are web-based.
- If you need a Labor Clearance (Q30) for a Guatemala transaction — get it online, print it, and authenticate it at the Guatemala Consulate in the USA if needed.
- For Foreign Worker Permits (PEX): if you want to hire a non-Guatemalan employee for your Guatemala company, the trámite goes through MINTRAB — not consulate. See: PEX MINTRAB.
- If your company is under Decree 29-89 (maquila/free trade zone) — the Annual Employer Report is mandatory in January-February. Failure means loss of fiscal exemptions.
If you’re a Guatemalan working in the USA
- The MINTRAB Temporary Work Abroad program facilitates H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (non-agricultural) visas — official process vs. coyote (safer, cheaper).
- Labor benefits calculation: if you worked in Guatemala before migrating and your employer owes you benefits — you have the right to claim them. The MINTRAB calculator tells you how much.
Workplace Health & Safety (SSO) — what your company must have
Under Government Agreement 229-2014 and the Labor Code (Art. 197), every employer must:
| Obligation | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Workplace Health & Safety Committee | 10+ workers at a single worksite |
| Occupational Risk Prevention Plan | All companies, registered by accredited doctor/professional |
| Annual SSO training | Yearly, via accredited training company |
| Workplace Accident Report | Immediate — to MINTRAB and to IGSS (24 hours) |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | According to job risk |
| SSO Committee Minute Book Authorization | When constituting the committee |
Common MINTRAB fines (reference)
| Violation | Fine (per worker or event) |
|---|---|
| Failing to register contract in RECIT | Q400 to Q5,000 |
| Failing to keep Salary Book updated | Q500 to Q3,000 |
| No registered RIT (10+ employees) | Q1,000 to Q5,000 |
| Failing to report workplace accident | Q2,000 to Q10,000 |
| Paying below minimum wage | Q1,000 to Q10,000 + back differences |
| No IGSS enrollment | Q5,000 to Q50,000 + retroactive |
Fines double on repeat offense. The General Labor Inspection (IGT) conducts periodic inspections and can act on complaints (1511 hotline).
MINTRAB contact
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main phone | 2422-2500 |
| Complaints hotline | 1511 (free 24/7) |
| Hours | Monday to Friday 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Address | Torre Empresarial, 7a Avenida 3-33 Zona 9, Guatemala City |
| Online complaints | denuncias.mintrabajo.gob.gt |
| Public Information | uip.mintrabajo.gob.gt |
| @Mintrabajoguatemala | |
| @mintrabgt |
More Guatemala state resources
- SAT Guatemala — NIT, RTU, contracts to SAT (vs. RECIT which is labor)
- IGSS Guatemala — employer enrollment, IGSS per worker, accidents
- MINGOB Guatemala — DPI, criminal record (requirements for new hires)
- MINECO Guatemala — Mercantile Registry, business license (prior step)
- MAGA Guatemala — if your company is agricultural
- MSPAS Guatemala — if your company handles food, pharmacy, health
- Trámites Guatemala — full directory of state trámites