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Public workers threaten general strike if lawmakers approve bill reducing pay

Unions leaders are threatening to call a general strike in late September or early October if lawmakers move forward with a bill that would eliminate public worker bonuses and cash incentives.

PHOTOS: Public employee unions protest in Costa Rica

Hundreds of members of public employee unions took to the streets of San José downtown on Thursday morning to protest against proposed legislation that would eliminate special job perks.

Public employees, porteadores to demonstrate in Costa Rica’s capital

Classes will be suspended at 95 public schools across the country and public hospitals only will attend emergencies and lab tests. Porteadores, or private chauffeurs, will also protest starting at 8 a.m.

Costa Rica Supreme Court strikes down labor reform law, upholding ban on strikes that shut down essential public services

Business leaders celebrated a court decision Friday that they say guarantees Costa Rica's public hospitals, ports and electricity grid will continue to function even if public sector workers are involved in a labor dispute.

In Costa Rica, the top targets of sexual harassment complaints in the public sector are doctors, teachers and cops

According to the Ombudsman's Office, the number of complaints at public agencies increased from 82 in 2008 to 276 in 2011. The top targets of those complaints were doctors, teachers and police at the Social Security System, Education Ministry and Public Security Ministry, respectively.

Agreement reached on wage increase for public employees

Starting next month, public employees in Costa Rica will receive a salary increase ranging from 1.08 to 1.60 percent depending on profession. However, some unions are not happy with the amount.

Costa Rican lawmakers go to battle against President Solís’ reversal of labor reform veto

A group of 21 lawmakers from five parties on Friday morning filed a complaint with the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, or Sala IV, challenging the constitutionality of President Luis Guillermo Solís' decision to lift a veto on a bill proposing reforms to the country’s Labor Procedures Law.

President Solís signs decree banning strikes in essential services

President Luis Guillermo Solís signed an executive decree Thursday that reiterates his government’s pledge to maintain essential services, including police and hospitals, and establish protocols to guarantee that these and other public services are not interrupted by labor disputes.

President Solís lifts veto on Labor Procedures Bill, promises to ban strikes in essential public services

President Luis Guillermo Solís announced his decision to lift the veto on the controversial “Reforms of Labor Procedures Bill,” which would extend the right to strike to public-sector workers from hospitals, police and other services, during a ceremony at Casa Presidencial Friday morning.
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