By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The deputies of the Legislative Assembly, approved on Tuesday, with a result of 40 votes in favor and 12 against, the bill No.21.049: Law to provide legal certainty about strikes and its' procedures.

One of the most important motions within bill was approved in the first round of voting. The motion would suspend the salary of public employees who are on strike. Also, it was established that only if a judge declares the strike as a legal protest, the public employees who did not work, could receive the unpaid salary.

The approved text of the law will be published today.

According to authorities, no public services were affected by Tuesday's protest by taxi drivers and public institution employees.

The taxi drivers' union, known as the Red Force, protested in front of the Presidential House* building in Zapote, in the province of San José.

The goal of the taxi drivers is to pressure for the approval of bill No. 21228 for the regulation of online transport, such as Uber.

According to the bill, companies that offer passenger transportation should:

- Pay a 3 percent tax to the Council of Public Transport. The tax should be added to the client's rate.

- The tax collected will be transferred to the National Mobility Fund, which is also be administered by the Public Transportation Council. The money raised will be used for the modernization of public transport.

- In addition to this tax, companies who want to provide transport services, like Uber, must pay a registration fee of about $74,414, and renew their registration with another payment of approximately $36,380.

- The maximum number of vehicles that operates under the online platform cannot be more than the number of existing red taxis.

The bill No.21.228 to regulate public transportation was presented by the Ministry of Transportation.

Also, members of the public employees union marched in downtown San José. Among the unions striking were:

-  The high school teachers union, known as APSE.

- The teachers' union in public schools, know as ANDE.

- The union of employees of public institutions, know as ANEP.

- The Social Security employees union, know as UNDECA.

According to union leaders, they are protesting against the bill No. 21.097, which was approved last night.

The negative effects for patients during the strike were minimal since public clinics and hospitals worked, as usual, said the Social authorities in its report.

Social Security authorities call on patients to show up for medical appointments. "We call on patients to attend scheduled appointments and procedures," said Mario Felipe Ruiz-Cubillo, Social Security medical manager.

The Ministry of Public Education also reported that just a few of its employees went on strike. At the majority of public schools and high schools, teachers and administration staff worked as usual.

The U.S. Embassy also sent an alert to U.S. citizens saying, "these protests are expected to be non-violent, but it is recommended to exercise caution in these areas."

Wednesday, union leaders are expected to announce whether they will continue the strike.









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Are you for or against the bill that would regulate strikes? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com

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