No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsletterUnion protest against proposed 2015 budget cuts to shut down 2 San...

Union protest against proposed 2015 budget cuts to shut down 2 San José streets Monday morning

At least 15 public workers’ unions have called a large protest for Monday to oppose proposed budget cuts to public agencies and programs in 2015.

The secretary general of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), Albino Vargas, said demonstrators will meet at San José’s Central Park at 8 a.m. on Monday, and then march to the Legislative Assembly. This likely will close parts of downtown San José to traffic for at least half a day. The two streets mostly affected are Second Avenue and Central Avenue.

Union leaders say they have confirmed the attendance of employees from several ministries, including agriculture and livestock, public security, finance and justice, and several agencies such as the Immigration Administration, Border Police, National Police and dock workers.

“We strongly oppose the government’s attempts to address the fiscal deficit problem by submitting the working class to major sacrifices. We declare our support of the public sector’s fight for decent working conditions,” a statement distributed by union leaders to members said.

Vargas said he expects to meet with lawmakers on the legislative Financial Affairs Commission to outline opposition to the proposed budget cuts. Vargas said those cuts “would not solve the country’s fiscal deficit.”

The Assembly’s commission on Thursday approved a proposal to reduce by ₡97 billion ($181.9 million) the 2015 national budget, proposed by President Luis Guillermo Solís’ administration. The budget would total ₡7.9 trillion ($14.8 billion) if approved.

Lawmakers also voted to postpone to 2020 the payment of ₡100 billion ($187 million) in government bonds due next year. The Finance Ministry will renegotiate terms with bondholders.

The national budget discussion now will move to the full Assembly where lawmakers must approve it in two separate rounds of debate no later than Nov. 30.

Union leaders oppose proposed cuts to education, public security, prisons and agencies such as the National Emergency Commission, the Child Welfare Office, the National Statistics and Census Institute, and others.

Last year, lawmakers approved a ₡6.6 trillion ($13.1 billion) budget for 2014, representing a 3.1 percent increase over the previous year.

Trending Now

Honduras Seizes $2 Million, Gold-Plated Pistols in Drug Raid

Honduran authorities struck a blow against drug cartels, seizing over $2 million in cash, war rifles, and flashy gold-plated pistols in Copán, a northwest...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Costa Rica’s Cutris Mining Bill Threatens Massive Environmental Damage

Costa Rica’s government is pushing a controversial bill that could open the entire Cutris district in San Carlos—848 square kilometers—to open-pit gold mining. The...

Costa Rica Joins U.S. Global Entry, Easing Travel for Tourists

Costa Rica took a big step forward, by officially joining the U.S. Global Entry program, a move set to make travel smoother for Costa...

Costa Rica Green Hotels Lead Global Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism grows stronger every year, with our green hotels setting a high bar for eco-conscious hospitality...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
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