The Labor Court of the First Judicial Circuit of San Jose declared the employee strike promoted by five different labor unions that has affected the Social Security Services (CCSS), illegal.

Resolution No.2018001589 resolved by Judge Susana Porras Cascante, states that both the international norms of the International Labor Organization and national legislation expressly prohibit strikes in clinics and hospitals since they provide an essential public service.

“Labor unions took on a reproachable and completely irresponsible behavior, they should have informed their affiliates of the prohibition to organize strikes that affect hospitals, health services and laundry services, this because it is a sensitive service, the life and health of many people are at risk, and therefore must run permanently and at 100% of its capacities”.

Judge Porras also reprimanded labor unions accusing them of hiding them in order to avoid the notification of the court, “their actions have generated chaos in the country since as a result a large number of surgeries and appointments have been put off”.

The UNDECA labor union commented through a post in their Facebook page that the sentence is “politically contaminated” and sustain the Constitution protects their right to strike.

The labor unions will be presenting their appeal within the legal term of three days.

Through this Monday, October 1st and after 22 days of strike, the Social Security Service reported more than 90,000 appointments and 3,000 surgeries suspended in the different hospitals and clinics in the country.