Labor Unions in Costa Rica are calling for to a general strike next Monday, September 10; President Carlos Alvarado asked them to resume the dialogue with the government to find a way to avoid “worsening of the financial crisis” the country is facing; Labor Unions are putting their foot down and put conditions to establishing dialogue.

Leaders of the Labor Unions in the country held a meeting this Monday and gave a joint response to the letter sent by President Carlos Alvarado which reads:

1. Once again we reiterate and reaffirm our opposition to the taxes-“fiscal combo”, Legislative file 20.580. There should be no doubt about this.

2. Unanimously and on this date, September 3, all the labor unions that form the Patriotic Movement against the “Fiscal Combo” have ratified our call to an Indefinite General Strike, starting Monday, September 10.

3. If your Government (President’s Alvarado), wishes to establish dialogue with the National Labor Union, this must contemplate your own physical presence, as well as that of Mrs. Rocio Aguilar (Minister of Treasury), and Edna Camacho (Coordinator of the Economic Team for the Government), and of course Mr. Rodolfo Piza, Minister of Presidency and Steven Nuñez, Minister of Labor whom you’d already assigned.

4. It is indispensable that the chiefs of each political party represented in Congress are also present, without exception.

Labor Unions also clarified that even if the Government agrees to meet under these conditions it does NOT mean they would cancel the call to a general strike.