60 Hours of dialogue throughout 5 days have proven insufficient for representatives of the Costa Rican Government and the Labor Unions to come to an agreement.

At 11 p.m. this Monday, September 24, during a press conference, the Ministers of Labor, Justice and Planning expressed their frustration after eight hours of dialogue, “we regret to inform that there has not been any advance in the negotiations, in fact we took steps back today. It is frustrating that at this point there is a sector of the labor unions that is not willing to negotiate. We are and remain open to dialogue with those that want to work and are open to negotiation”, commented Steven Nuñez, Minister of Labor.

The Minister of Justice, Marcia González, stated that the Government has been clear in the need to stop the strike in order to move forward and go from a “preliminary dialogue” to a negotiation, they have also reaffirmed they will not retire the fiscal plan currently in process in the Legislative Assembly, however, they are open to negotiation over certain aspects of the plan.

The dialogue will resume tomorrow at 3 p.m., the Government is requesting a set schedule and established agenda to move forward.

González also mentioned the possibility that labor unions are using delaying tactics for the strike to continue through to Wednesday when they have scheduled a large general protest in San Jose.

On the other hand, leaders of the labor unions, stated they are “completely united”, and they have been “patient” and “tolerant”, but that the Government is insisting and wants them to accept the project (fiscal plan) as it is which they will not do because it “goes in detriment of the working class”.

Albino Vargas, representative of the National Association of Public Employees (ANEP), accused the Government of sabotaging the massive protest scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, this due to the fact the transit police has been taking down the plates of buses transporting strikers because the units being used are of public transportation and therefore must comply with the permits granted and not be used for other purposes.

Vargas also denied that they are using “delaying tactics” and affirms they are negotiating in “good faith”.

The general strike is going now on 16 days.