Workers from different municipalities are demonstrating in front of the main offices of the Ministry of Finance (Ministerio de Hacienda) on Avendida 2, blocking traffic in the center of San Jose.
They are protesting against the draft “Ley Marco de Empleo Público” (Public Employment Framework Law), which would eliminate bonuses for new workers hired throughout, however, not change the conditions of current public employees.
They also on the streets against a reform to the Municipal Code that is making its way through the legislative process.
The workers are from some 15 municipalities of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), including those of San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Santa Ana and Tibas.
They are also calling for the resignation of Finance Minister Rocio Aguilar, who pushed for the approval of the Ley de Fortalecimiento de las Finanzas Públicas (Public Finance Strengthening Act), which seeks to reduce the fiscal deficit facing the country and brought us the Value Added Tax (VAT) that went into force on July 1.
The public workers are demanding that the application of the tax be postponed for up to 18 months.
