SANTIAGO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced on Monday a labor statute that will regulate the activities of professional soccer players in Chile.

    Well-known active and retired players, including Elias Figueroa and former River Plate striker Marcelo Salas, attended the ceremony at one of the government palace's patios.

    All the parties Chile's legislature, the National Congress, had backed the initiative, that had been under way since 2002 with the Guild of Professional Soccer Players.

    Labor Minister Osvaldo Andrade said the new legislation incorporates soccer players in the Labor Code, since they were in a situation lacking absolute regulation.

    Among the outstanding aspects of the law is that the work contracts between soccer players and clubs will have a determined period, that can't be less than a season nor more than five, also players will be paid every 30 days.

    The statute will protect the rest periods, health care, payment of awards and other compensation.