The power struggle continues between the Costa Rican government and the labor unions.

President Carlos Alvarado stated today in a letter to the Union leaders that he agrees to meet with them as they are requesting, as long as they call off the general strike scheduled for this upcoming Monday, September 10.

The communication of the President comes after leaders of the Labor Unions responded yesterday to his call to dialogue by demanding his presence in the meetings as well as those of Mrs. Rocio Aguilar (Minister of Treasury), Edna Camacho (Coordinator of the Economic Team for the Government), and of course Mr. Rodolfo Piza, Minister of Presidency and Steven Nuñez, Minister of Labor these last two have been present in the past meetings held between the government and the labor unions.

In the same letter, President Alvarado affirms, about the Fiscal Plan that the Labor Unions are opposed to, that it is “essential” for the country. “It does not contemplate layoffs and it does not cut salaries. It has the necessary measures and it was done in a way that each person counts, bot to be protected and to contribute to the future of the country (…) I ask that you understand as leaders of a part of the groups at risk, the critical situation the country is facing and the need for this project to advance”.

The President also made reference to the scenario lived by Costa Rica at the beginning of the 80’s when the country faced a similar situation that caused poverty to go from a 20% to a 50% causing a big social lag from which it took decades to recover.

Labor Unions called for a general strike for Monday, September 10 beginning at 6 a.m. with the intent of “paralyzing the country”, they do not discard it could extend for several days and could affect several public services.

Now the Government will have to await the response of the trade union leaders.