Private sector employees ask for 3 percent salary hike

The National Union of Workers (UNT) called for a 3.03 percent wage increase for the private sector to be applied during the second half of this year.

The request was filed Monday at the National Wage Council.

The union said their calculation corresponds to 2.47 percent based on inflation projections by Costa Rica’s Central Bank, plus 0.56 percent inflation registered in the second half of 2012.

The UNT also requested an 8 percent increase for workers receiving minimum wage.

Next Monday, representatives of the business sector will present a salary-increase proposal to the National Wage Council, and a week later, the government will establish the definitive increase after negotiating with members from both sectors.