No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsPoliticsPublic workers unhappy with salary increase protest in San José

Public workers unhappy with salary increase protest in San José

Thousands of public employees on Tuesday marched eight blocks down San José’s Second Avenue to protest a 0.43 percent wage increase approved by the government earlier this month.

The demonstration began at Parque La Merced at 10 a.m. and ended at the Finance Ministry, where protesters with megaphones, banners and signs chanted slogans targeting government officials. Most of the ire was aimed at President Laura Chinchilla’s administration.

Police estimated up to 4,000 protesters attended the rally, while union leaders put the number at 7,000.

Ana Doris González, of the High School Teachers’ Association, called the salary hike “starvation wages” for teachers.

Others criticized the salaries of government ministers and lawmakers, while union leaders said they were sending a message to presidential candidates Johnny Araya, from the ruling National Liberation Party, and Luis Guillermo Solís, from Citizen Action Party.

Because teachers participated in Tuesday’s demonstrations, many classes at public schools were cancelled. Other public services were interrupted throughout the day.

Labor Minister Olman Segura defended the wage hike amount, saying protesters failed to include benefits in salary calculations.

Traffic on Second Avenue, one of San José’s most-transited roads, was interrupted for at least three hours, but returned to normal at about 1:30 p.m.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Nayara Springs Named Among World’s Best Hotels by MICHELIN

Nayara Springs, a secluded adults-only resort near Arenal Volcano National Park, has claimed the highest spot in the MICHELIN Guide's new hotel rankings. The...

Cost of living in Costa Rica from a U.S. Expat

Paradise doesn’t come cheap. Cars, gas, appliances, phones, TVs often cost more in Costa Rica. But not everything. Here’s a simple, like-for-like look at...

Costa Rica Ranger Trapped After Falling off Cliff on Cocos Island

Rescue teams in Costa Rica continue their efforts to save a park ranger who fell down a 40-meter cliff on Isla del Coco. The...

Costa Rica Landslide Tragedy as Family Buried Alive

Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide in Piedades Sur, San Ramón, Alajuela, late Saturday night, burying a family home and killing two adults and...

Riu Guanacaste Hotel Reopens in Costa Rica After Renovation

The Riu Guanacaste hotel in Costa Rica has reopened after a complete renovation, welcoming guests back to its beachfront spot on Matapalo Beach. The...

Costa Rica Nominates Rebeca Grynspan for UN Secretary-General Role

Costa Rica has put forward Rebeca Grynspan as its candidate for United Nations secretary-general, a move that highlights the nation's push for stronger Latin...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica