A total of 147 workers this week filed Labor Ministry claims against employers over problems with Christmas bonuses, known in Costa Rica as aguinaldos. According to Costa Rica labor laws, the deadline for aguinaldo payments was Dec. 20.
Costa Rica registers the lowest number of child workers in Central America, the International Labour Organization reported on Friday, although the agency said more efforts are needed to keep kids in school.
Unions, socialists and other left-leaning groups called for an end to status quo economic policies at a May Day march in downtown San José. The annual parade from Central Park to the Legislative Assembly was marked with rhetoric slamming Laura Chinchilla and past administrations for ignoring the working class, while expressing hope that the incoming president, Luis Guillermo Solís, will turn to more progressive policies.
Costa Rica's public healthcare system is evaluating medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy to treat diabetes and obesity. The CCSS has not announced when the drugs might become available or which patients would qualify.
More than 6,000 Europeans paid about 200 million Swiss francs for teak trees on 60 Costa Rica plantations. The seller is bankrupt and Swiss prosecutors are investigating.
