Employer of Record in Bolivia

Guide to Hiring Employees in Bolivia

Your guide to hiring employees in Bolivia, covering the employment landscape, employer of record responsibilities, working customs, and local labor laws.

Hiring Employees In Bolivia
Employer Of Record In Bolivia

Capital City

Sucre

Currency

Bolivian Boliviano

 (

Bs.

)

Timezone

GMT -4

Payroll Frequency

monthly

Tax Year

1 January - 31 December

Employer Tax

16.71%

Languages

Spanish

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How to Hire Employees In Bolivia

Hiring in Bolivia for the first time can be overwhelming, especially when navigating unfamiliar employment laws.  Whether you hire independent contractors, set up a legal entity, or use an EOR service, understanding the local employment landscape is crucial for success.  Playroll’s comprehensive guide can help you get started if you're hiring locally or relocating a team member.

Companies can hire employees in Bolivia in the following three ways:

  • Setting up a local entity. Entity establishment reduces risk exposure and enables direct hiring, but can be costly and time-consuming – making it less practical for companies seeking quick and flexible solutions for hiring in Bolivia.
  • Partnering with an Employer Of Record. An EOR, like Playroll, is a third-party entity that serves as the legal employer of your international workforce which hires, pays, and manages compliance with Bolivia’s labor laws and tax regulations.
  • Hiring independent contractors. Hiring contractors gives companies a flexible, affordable alternative to hiring local employees, though it involves unique misclassification risks.

Good To Know

Bolivia boasts abundant natural resources, including mining materials, natural gas, hydrocarbons, and untapped lithium deposits, offering significant export opportunities.

Despite COVID-19 impacts, the agricultural sector has shown notable growth, urging Bolivian businesses to invest in modern agricultural technology resilient to climate change and aging infrastructure.

The country welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI), with gross FDI reaching USD 440 million in 2021, particularly in hydrocarbons, manufacturing, industry, commerce, transport, storage, communications, insurance, and real estate sectors.

Bolstered by macroeconomic stability, strategic location, and government economic measures during the pandemic, Bolivia emerges as a promising investment destination.

Employment and Labor Laws in Bolivia

Businesses can only operate smoothly in Bolivia if they comply with local labor laws including drafting compliant employment contract agreements and meeting taxation and payroll obligations. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in Bolivia below, to avoid any compliance issues.

Employment Contract Requirements

In Bolivia, employment contracts can be verbal or written. The typical expectation is for contracts to be indefinite and signed, although fixed-term contracts are allowed if documented. Verbal contracts are assumed to be indefinite, and written contracts need authorisation from a labour inspector or higher administrative authority.

Onboarding Process

We can help you get a new employee started in Bolivia quickly, with a minimum onboarding time of just 1-2 working days. The timeline starts once the employee submits all required information onto the Playroll platform and completes any necessary local authority registrations. For non-nationals, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) may add up to three extra days. Additional time may be needed for follow-ups on this assessment. Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual start date. Playroll's payroll cut-off date is the 10th of each month unless otherwise specified.

Working Hours in Bolivia

In Bolivia, the standard working hours are 8 hours per day, with a maximum of 6 working days in a week.

Overtime in Bolivia

Any work performed beyond the standard working hours per week in Bolivia is subject to overtime pay, as stipulated by employment contracts or collective agreements. Typically, the maximum limit for overtime hours is 2 hours per day, and the compensation is set at 200% of the regular salary rate.

Probation Period in Bolivia

The probation periods for permanent employees in Bolivia typically range from 1 to 3 months.

Employer of Record in Bolivia

An Employer of Record (EOR) acts as the legal employer for workers in Bolivia, taking on key responsibilities to ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations. The EOR facilitates the hiring process for businesses that want to employ workers without establishing a legal entity in the country.

The employer of record in Bolivia is responsible for:

  • Employment Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts comply with Bolivia's labor laws and regulations, including proper classification of employees.
  • Payroll Management: Calculate, process, and distribute employee salaries in accordance with Bolivia's payroll laws, including deductions for taxes and social security contributions.
  • Tax Filing and Contributions: Handle the registration, filing, and payment of employer taxes and social security contributions to the relevant authorities.
  • Employment Contracts: Draft and maintain compliant employment agreements, detailing salary, benefits, working hours, and termination terms in line with Bolivia's legal requirements.
  • Benefits Administration: Provide mandatory employee benefits as required by Bolivia's labor laws, such as health insurance, pension contributions, and statutory leave.
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Payroll Management in Bolivia

Fiscal Year in Bolivia

1 January - 31 December is the 12-month accounting period that businesses in Bolivia use for financial and tax reporting purposes.

Payroll Cycle in Bolivia

The payroll cycle in Bolivia is usually monthly, with employees being paid on the last working day of the month.

Minimum Wage in Bolivia

The minimum wage for employees in Bolivia is typically 11.719 BOB per hour, amounting to ~2,250 BOB per month for a typical 48 hour work week.

Bonus Payments in Bolivia

Bolivian employees receive a 13th-month salary (Aguinaldo) equivalent to one month's pay, capped at 25.00% of the company's profits. It is disbursed at year-end and is tax and social security exempt. A 14-month bonus is mandatory if the GDP exceeds 4.50% or the company earns annual profits.

Employment Taxes in Bolivia

Employer Tax Contributions

Employer payroll contributions are generally estimated at an additional 16.71% on top of the employee salary in Bolivia.

Tax TypeTax Rate
Social Security3%
Professional Risk Premium1.71%
Public Health Insurance10%
Housing (Provivienda)2%
Home office bonus200 BOB

Employee Payroll Tax Contributions

In Bolivia , the typical estimation for employee payroll contributions cost is around 12.71%.

Tax TypeTax Rate
Long-term SSO Contribution (Disability, Old Age and Death)10%
Common Risk1.71%
Pensionary Fund Commission0.5%
Solidarity Contribution for Pension0.5%

Individual Income Tax Contributions

The individual income tax in Bolivia is a flat rate of 13%.

Income BracketTax Rate
All income13%

Pension in Bolivia

Irrespective of personal savings, all resident citizens of Bolivia aged 60 and older are covered by the Renta Dignidad, or Dignity Pension Programme (RDP), receiving monthly payments of 193.65 BOB.

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The tax-related information provided in this guide is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Reach out to our dedicated team for insights on remote hiring in Bolivia tailored to your needs.

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Work Permits & Visas in Bolivia

Annual Leave & Company Policies In Bolivia

Mandatory Leave Entitlement in Bolivia

The annual leave entitlement in Bolivia is 15 days for a full time worker. These can include public holidays on top of that or within those days, which would otherwise be unpaid.

Public Holidays In Bolivia

Bolivia observes 13 national public holidays, in addition to state-specific public holidays that may vary:

HolidayDate
New Years Day1 January
Plurinational State Foundation Day22 January
Candlemas2 February
Carnival24-25 February
Shrove Tuesday25 February
Good Friday10 April
Labour Day1 May
Corpus Christi11 June
Willkakuti21 June
Agrarian Reform Day2 August
Independence Day of Bolivia6 August
All Souls Day2 November
Christmas Day25 December

Paid Time Off in Bolivia

In Bolivia, annual paid leave is typically stipulated in the employment contract, starting at a minimum of 15 days after one year of service, increasing to 20 days after 5 years, and 30 days after 10 years of employment, in addition to public holidays.

Maternity Leave In Bolivia

Pregnant employees in Bolivia receive 90 days of paid maternity leave, with 45 days taken before the due date and the remaining 45 days after. Initially, the employer pays 100% of the national minimum wage, later reimbursed at 90% by Social Security.

Paternity Leave In Bolivia

Fathers in Bolivia have the right to mandatory paid paternity leave, with a duration of 3 days.

Parental Leave In Bolivia

There is no separate, additional parental leave policy beyond maternity and paternity provisions in Bolivia.

Sick Leave In Bolivia

In Bolivia, employees receive 26 weeks of paid sick leave annually and must submit a medical certificate within 48 hours of the initial illness. The employer covers the leave at 100% of the regular pay rate, with Social Security reimbursing 75% of the rate starting from the 5th day of sickness.

Employment Termination and Severance Policies in Bolivia

Termination Process in Bolivia

Acceptable terminations in Bolivia include:

  • Voluntary employee resignation
  • Terminations with cause (intentionally-caused damage of work instruments, disclosure of company privacy, total or partial breach of agreement, employee theft or robbery)
  • Contract expiration

Notice Period in Bolivia

Per Bolivian labour law, there isn't a required notice period.

Severance in Bolivia

In Bolivia, severance pay is obligatory and varies based on the type of termination. It generally amounts to one month's regular salary for each completed year of service.

Disclaimer

THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Playroll does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect Playroll’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. Playroll makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jesse Weisz

Jesse is an experienced R&D Analyst at Playroll, a leading Employer of Record (EOR) provider. With a strong background in data analysis and market research, Jesse specializes in identifying emerging trends and driving innovation in global HR solutions. She is an all-rounder, critical thinker and success-seeker (often inextricably linked to being a late-night tea drinker).

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FAQS

FAQs About Hiring In Bolivia

Questions and Answers

What Is an EOR in Bolivia?

An Employer of Record (EOR) in Bolivia is a third-party organization that legally employs workers on behalf of your company. The EOR handles all local employment tasks, including compliance with labor laws, payroll, taxes, benefits, and employment contracts. This allows businesses to easily hire talent in Bolivia without the need to set up a legal entity there, saving time and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Can I Hire in Bolivia Without an Employer of Record?

Yes, you can hire in Bolivia without an Employer of Record, but this typically requires setting up a legal entity in the country. Establishing a local entity involves navigating registration processes, tax systems, and employment regulations. This can be costly and time-consuming, often taking between 4-6 months to enter a new market. An EOR provides an alternative by allowing you to hire talent quickly and compliantly without the need to establish a legal presence in Bolivia.

How Much Does It Cost To Employ Someone In Bolivia?

The cost of employing someone in Bolivia includes more than just their salary. You also need to consider mandatory contributions such as taxes, social security, insurance, and benefits. These additional costs can vary based on the role, location, and specific employment laws in Bolivia. When using an Employer of Record, there are additional service fees, usually charged as a percentage of the employee's salary or as a monthly or annual fee. This ensures compliance and covers administrative tasks.

What Is the Minimum Wage In Bolivia?

As of January 1, 2024, Bolivia's minimum wage rates are:

  • 11.719 BOB p/h BOB per month.
  • Applies nationwide across all sectors.
  • Adjustments typically occur annually.

How Does an EOR Help You Run Payroll In Bolivia?

An EOR simplifies payroll management in Bolivia by handling all aspects of salary payments, tax deductions, and compliance with local labor laws for your international employees. The EOR calculates gross pay, deducts necessary taxes and contributions, and ensures employees are paid accurately and on time. They also manage year-end tax reporting and compliance filings, reducing the administrative burden on your team and minimizing the risk of errors or penalties.

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