Members of unions from several of Guanacaste’s sectors formed part of the national strike on Thursday, March 20, which happened in several areas of the country.
In Nicoya, the movement was joined by members from the education unions APSE, ANDE and SEC, as well as officials from ICE, La Anexion Hospital, and the EBAIS facilities in Hojancha, Nandayure and Nicoya. They demanded better salaries and presentedother complaints against the government.
Lindel Enriquez, a union director for the Association of Secondary Education Teachers (APSE – Asociación de Profesores de SegundaEnseñanza), reported that, “We are protesting against the ridiculous salary increase of 0.43% granted by the government.”
In addition, the union members presented other points of contention such as the crisis in the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS – CajaCostarricense de Seguro Social), corruption, opposition to the fiscal plan and an increase in prices for public services.
Beneath the hot March sun, union members began the march at 9 a.m., in front of La Anexion Hospital. They later moved to Niocya’s main entrance and then to Ricardo Briceño Park at 11 a.m.
In Cañas, there was a similar event, which brought together union members from that city, as well as Liberia and Santa Cruz.
President Laura Chinchilla wrote on her Facebook page that, “The consequences of every strike are incalculable, but what worries me most is that this strike has no specific purpose nor is it against my government. This is a strike for general demands and is a shameful act to warn the next government.”
Lindel Enriquez did not dismiss the possibility of more union protests in the coming months, as they are awaiting the government’s answer.
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