 |
COSTA RICA |
| |
Three Day
Strike At Limón Docks Was Expensive
The strike by the dockworkers in Limón is
over, as workers and government reached an
agreement late on Friday. However, the loss
due to the strike by a small group, maybe 50
dockworkers, is enormous.
The JUNTA DE ADMINISTRACION PORTUARIA Y DE
DESARROLLO ECONOMICO DE LA VERTIENTE
ATLÁNTICA (JAPDEVA), estimates that the
direct monetary loss for the strike that
lasted three says is us$18 million dollars.
However, the indirect losses may be even
greater.
During the three day strike one cruise ship
carrying 1.900 passengers could not dock and
it is unknown how many more decided to scrub
Limón from its list of docks. One company
alone is reporting a loss of some us$600.000
when it had to destroy an entire load of
bananas.
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, while
visiting the Turrubares bridge collapse
site, told reporters that Japdeva is
currently investing only 80% of its budget
in salaries, but in the coming months will
be raising to 100% in an effort to increase
worker salaries and avoid further
disruptions at the one of the nation's two
major shipping ports.
Arias said he was perturbed that the
striking workers did not care that their
actions would severely affect the artisans
and those living off tourism in the area.
"What is important here is the need to move
ahead the subject of concessions and to get
it done as quickly as possible", said Arias.
The strike ended with the workers obtaining
a 2.44% salary increase. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
