The Costa Rican Government affimrs that participation of employees of the Social Security Service (CCSS) in strike went down by 49%, going from 10,426 absent employees on September 10 to 5,325 this Monday, September 24.

According to the detailed report, after the first week, the decrease was of 37% and after the second week it reduced another 17% in relation to the prior week.

The employees of the health authority service that are still on strike represent close to 11.4% of the total payroll.

In other institutions also show a lower support to the protest movement in the recent days. President Carlos Alvarado stated in an interview with CRHoy that the highest number of participants are from four or five institutions, the Ministry of Education, CCSS, the Atlantic Zone Development and Port Administration Group (JAPDEVA), the state refinery RECOPE, and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

The most affected service right now continues to be public education, although the lack of enough personnel in the health centers continues to affect the normal operations of the same causing set backs in surgeries and appointments scheduled.

Meanwhile, representatives of the labor unions reject the statements given by the Government and claim they are stronger than ever and have actually received more support from other sectors.

Strikers announced a massive march for this Wednesday, September 26; leaders expect the participation of hundreds of thousands of people who will walk from La Sabana to the Legislative Assembly.

At this point, no agreement has been reached between the Government and the Labor Unions, however, they will be resuming dialogue at 3 p.m. this Tuesday.