Labour Ministry Building "Sick", Court Orders Repairs
A decision handed down by the Sala Constitucional (Constitutional Court) is forcing the Ministro de Trabajo (Labou Ministry) to better working conditions in its main office in San José.

The decision is based on a "recurso de amparo" (appeal) presented by members of the Asociación de Funcionarios del Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (Afumitra) workers union, who say that the ventilation system at the Trabajo offices has failed since 2001 and no action has been taken since to improve air conditions in the building.

Labour minister, Francisco Morales, said yesterday that he did not the details of the court decision but will respect the decision completely.

"This is a unique building and cannot comment on the situation as it is a matter for the technicians", said the minister, adding that all that he can do is comply with court decision.

Franklin Benavides, secretary general of Afumitra, said that the decision is of little help now as the building's air conditioning has not been working since 2003 and the time that the workers association made the appeal.

Benavides added that the workers at Trabajo have been working in horrible conditions. "We had a work stoppage and made the appeal. The conditions have changed since, though the working conditions are not completely the way they should be" said Benavides.

Benavides said that there are still parts of the building that have ventilation problems, mainly due to problems in building construction and maintenance.

"An occupational health study has revealed that the building is sick and that employees constantly suffer respiratory problems and allergies", said the association head.