Another Week of Strike in Costa Rica

Millions of dollars in losses to the business sector, fuel shortages and roadblocks are some of the consequences of the strike by public officials in the country.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Since the unions of public institutions started the strike on Monday, September 6, the situation has been getting worse, with no sign of an end any time soon.

Over the weekend it was reported that due to blockades set up by unionists at facilities belonging to the Costa Rican Petroleum Refinery (Recope), fuel supplies have become scarce in several gas stations in the country's capital. See "Gasoline is scarce in certain places in San José due to blockades by trade unionists".

The tourism sector is another of the sectors affected. Today at 6 am a cruise ship belonging to the company Celebrity Cruises, with 3,500 passengers on board, was scheduled to dock in Puntarenas, but in order to avoid delays caused by the strike, the decision was taken to cancel the stopover. See "Cruise with 3,500 tourists cancels stopover in Puntarenas due to strike, tours are lost". (In Spanish)

In the last few hours, the Ministry of Security reported that as a result of a confrontation between members of the Police Force and strikers, at the Japdeva wharf in Moín, two people were arrested and three officers wounded. 

The position of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica is very clear. 

"... Terrorism, crime, sedition and treason are the only descriptions that can be applied to the events that occurred in the last hours. The damage to RECOPE property could have caused deaths and injuries.  They are reaching the tipping point of putting the lives of Costa Rican brothers at risk. We do not accept that the union leadership is now distancing itself from these events. The union leaders have been lying for days, destabilizing, inciting, and they cant start washing their hands of it now.

Thousands of Costa Ricans whose freedom of transit is being prevented or delayed are also being affected. This has now transcended the debate for or against the much-needed and urgent tax reform.

The attitudes of union leaders, demonstrators, obstructionists and those who commit acts of vandalism, are saying through their actions that they do not believe in democracy, peace, stability, institutionality or the rule of law, that they do not believe in Costa Rica. From the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica and the productive sector, we reiterate our repudiation of what is happening. 
The Government must act firmly and decisively without any delay, knowing that it has the support of the vast majority of Costa Ricans." 

See latest events of the strike. (In Spanish)

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More on this topic

Strike, Blockades and Tourism

September 2018

After nine days of strikes by public officials in Costa Rica, tour operators, hotels and restaurants in different parts of the country are reporting that reservations are being cancelled and sales are plummeting.

The strike being promoted by the country's public unions started on Monday, September 6, and has already caused millions of dollars worth of losses due to multiple road blocks and acts of sabotage in the fuel distribution chain, among other coercive measures. 

Strike: Business Leaders Demand Swift Action

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Following a week of strikes by public unions in Costa Rica, the private sector is demanding that authorities act faster and prevent public roads from being blockaded.

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From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations in the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):

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