Despite the efforts of the Government to come to an agreement with leaders of the labor unions in Costa Rica to avoid a general strike, the “sindicatos” as they are called in the country or labor unions, confirmed today during a press conference the call to general strike beginning Monday, September 10 at 6 a.m. and for indefinite time.

Public servants of several sectors: education, health, telecommunications, municipalities, among others, will be participating in this movement to protest the fiscal plan. They were emphatic in the fact that they expected the strike to extend for several days.

The strike will cover the entire Costa Rican territory, concentrating in particular areas (they did not want to disclose details), “there will be movements in different points of the country, at different hours of the day, in different moments” stated Albino Vargas representative of ANEP.

The government has already taken some measures to avoid or limit the effects of the strike, the Ministry of Public Security, Michael Soto, affirmed that the public police force is ready to respond promptly in any area of the country in the event of incidents during the strike or road blocks, “Costa Rica is a state of law where all people have the possibility to manifest themselves, but let’s remember that there are laws that contemplate road blocks as a felony”, stated Soto.

For those traveling next week, the airports will be operating normally, but have recommended that passengers take the necessary precautions and arrive to the airports ahead of time to avoid losing flights.

Hospitals of the Social Security Service (C.C.S.S.) will be receiving prescriptions ahead of time to deliver the necessary medications this weekend and diminish the problems for patients as of Monday; the emergency services and attention to hospitalized patients will continue with normality, but most likely many patients will be losing their scheduled appointments.

The Costa Rican State Oil Refinery (Recope) has assured there will not be problems with the fuel supply, since they have the necessary inventory and the logistics covered, they will extend their schedule of distribution this weekend to prevent possible inconveniences.

Many sectors have already asked the government to declare the strike illegal as soon as possible.

Yolanda Fernández, President of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce, commented “The only thing they achieve is blocking the mobilization, progress and productive development of the country in general and of the commerce sector. We urge labor unions to attend the call to dialogue of the government (…) It is fundamental that before promoting chaos and paralyzing essential services, labor unions consider that it is everyone’s responsibility to contribute in a solution to the fiscal crisis that is weakening Costa Rica”.

The Costa Rican Chamber of Industries also expressed their opposition to the strike, “The Costa Rican Chamber of Industries categorically rejects the call to strike of a sector of the labor unions”, they consider the movement “anti-patriotic, irresponsible and disrespectful”. “Instead of supporting the fiscal reform there are sectors interested in looking out only for their own interests, as opposed to the national interests and the well being and stability of all Costa Ricans”.

Economist Eli Feinzaig offered his opinion regarding this movement in an article published in LaRevista.cr: “The leaders of the labor unions do not have the well being of the country as their objective. The economy is stuck and paralyzing it will not help us get out of the jam, just the opposite. If the strike had the best interest of the country at heart, why paralyze ports, airports, and the distribution of fuels, affecting commerce, tourism and free transit, and the transportation of goods and people? (…) The strike is to preserve intact the salary pluses, privileges and other benefits which many of us have been battling against for years (…)”.

The tourism sector has also raised their concern on how this will affect the services to foreign visitors.