Published on Wednesday, April 3, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The two Ministry of Public Education Unions, known as ANDE and APSE, are set to march today, Wednesday, April 3, to protest the government's failure to pay further wage increases from 2020 to 2023.

The strike was agreed although the Ministry of Finance claimed on Monday, that around $27 million had already been spent to pay the wages of approximately 40,000 teachers.

According to the unions, thousands of protesters are expected to march along two kilometers on the main streets of San José, beginning at noon. 

The action will start at Paseo Colon Avenue and end at the Ministry of Finance headquarters located between 2nd Ave and 3 St. in downtown San José.

Traffic police call on drivers to avoid crossing through San José city during the hours that the march is scheduled. However, officers will be located at strategic points along Second Avenue to reroute drivers.

However, in 2020, Costa Rica enacted Law #21.049, titled "Law to provide legal security on the strike and its procedures," which limits strikes by public employees.

The legislation controls and classifies important public services, and strikes are prohibited in certain sectors. The bans typically apply to public occupations that impact fundamental core public functions.

The public education sector is also one of these important sectors, and the new law would require enough personnel to keep public schools, high schools, and universities open during a strike.
 
The new rule limits the length of a public employee strike to ten days and prohibits rallies in public spaces. After their march, employees must return to their occupations.

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What should the government do to agree with the Unions?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com