Taxi Drivers Threaten Strike Next
Week
The majority of taxi
drivers or "fuerza roja" in Costa Rica are getting set to hold a "paro
nacional" - national strike - next week in an attempt to force
legislators into approving a law that has already been drafted, that
will once and for all solve the problem of the informal taxis or "piratas".
Taxi drivers plan to descent on the the Legislative Assembly
building in San Jose to show their solidarity in
the issue.
Although the taxi drivers recognize that the government has
supported them in their efforts solving the informal taxi problem,
by issuing executive orders forcing the informal taxis to place
signs on their vehicles, using radios and having contracts with
their customers, the taxi drivers are complaining on the lack of
enforcement on the part of the Policía de Tránsito.
The taxi drivers say the problem is the ambiguity of the law. On one
hand the government is providing licenses to the formal taxis
operators, while on the hand the Código de Comercio - commercial
code - allows informal taxi operators to provide a similar service
as the formal taxis but without meeting the licensing requirements.
In addition, the informal taxis are taking away a lot of their
business and the leaders of the taxi drivers union say they patience
is at an end and they want a quick and decisive solution.
"As a result we are calling a national strike for Wednesday, January
28, for all taxi drivers in the country to meet in a location that
will be indicated by us. This is action is not only for one day, we
will have to wait and see the outcome", said Maikol Sosa, head of
the Fenacotaxi.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) has said it
will not tolerate the strike action and will take steps to ensure
that there is order in the streets.
In the past, taxi drivers, in their protests, have taken to blocking
or slowing down traffic on major arteries in the capital and around
the country. The MOPT minister, Karla González, assures that her
officials will be out to ensure a smooth traffic flow.
"We cannot allow a collapse of the road network and we will apply
the full extent of the law. In the same way taxi drivers are asking
us to defend the law, we ask them to respect the law and do not
cause roadblocks", said minister González.
There are currently 13.100 taxi drivers in the country that are part
of the Fenacotaxi union.
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