Labor unions in Costa Rica have announced this Thursday in a press conference a general strike that will take place since the early hours of Monday, June 25, as a means to manifest their opposition to the fiscal plan proposed by the Government.

The labor union leaders, Albino Vargas from Patria Justa and ANEP (National Association of Public Workers); Martha Rodriguez from Bloque Unitario Sindical y Social (Buscco), Movimiento de Unidad Sindical and Rerum Novarum, among others, explained that in this occasion they will not be limiting their protests to San Jose, but instead it will be a “National Movement” that will have an impact in different areas of the country including the blockage of some roads.

“Deputies of the Legislative Assembly are public servers like all public workers are and they must listen to the voice of the people. We condemn acts of corruption that have had an impact in the public finances and credibility”, stated Martha Rodriguez.

“We request understanding from the population, in view that these arbitrary and harmful measures (fiscal plan) are not leaving us with any alternative, we invite the working class to join our peaceful movement and manifest our position against what will bring inequity and misery to our nation”, continued Rodriguez.

“It will be a strike that will possibly affect Costa Rica, because we will be closing bridges and roads, we will be affecting places that are important for the development of the country, but this government has to understand, the education sector will be present, we are tired of the fiscal plan”, said Gilberto Cascante from the National Association of Educators (ANDE).

Labor union representatives met with Government officials last Friday but the parts did not reach an agreement; labor unions consider the government has taken “unilateral” decisions and has not been open to their proposals of creating a group to come up with a plan that all parts agree on; they are opposed to the fiscal plan presented by the Minister of Treasury that proposes the establishment of the value added tax (VAT), and expense containment measures.

Unions expect that workers at Municipalities, public schools and health centers join the movement and ask that parents don’t send their children to school (public schools) that day.