The Labor Court of the Second Judiciary Circuit of San José, deemed the strike affecting the education sector in Costa Rica illegal; this is the second time the movement is declared illegal, in this occasion it was judge Victor Orozco Zárate who was in charge of the sentence.

The strike of educators against the fiscal reform that began in September 10 and is going on 80 days, was first declared as illegal in October 9 by Judge Francisco Quesada, who considered the strike illegal under the argument that the movement was not peaceful. This sentence however was annulled by the appeals court in November 19 and sent back to the Labor Court for a new analysis, arguing that the judge had not properly justified or provided proof that the movement was not peaceful.

This second ruling by judge Orozco, considers that the movement affected essential services, was not peaceful and violated the principles of reasonableness.

Labor unions of the education sector have been holding meetings since this past weekend to evaluate their next steps, after the Constitutional Court gave green light to Congress to vote the fiscal plan in second debate, and as the end of the school year approaches in Costa Rica (Teachers that remain in strike will not be able to leave the country on vacation), the sector is considering putting an end to their movement.

Strikers have continued to receive their salary during these 80 days of strike, and it will be up to the labor court to decide whether the amounts paid are deducted or not once the legality or illegality of the movement is firm.

The protests have caused millions of dollars in losses to the country and affected thousands of students.