Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/567/6945
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 February 2009
Costa Rica: Urgent solidarity action for unionists
ON 30 January the board of Costa Rica's public Social Security Institute (INS) sacked Luis Salas Sarkís, general secretary of both the INS workers' union UPINS and the small, but combative and democratic union federation Central General de Trabajadores (CGT) of Costa Rica - in clear violation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. This follows the sacking of UPINS Women's Secretary Alicia Vargas in March 2008.
Victor Leon (CWI, Costa Rica)
The comrades were sacked for their active participation in the national campaign against the CAFTA (free trade agreement) with the USA, against the privatisation of social security and the rights of the INS employees, as well as against corruption inside the public institute.
The UPINS is also an exemplary solidarity organisation. It has supported - despite limited funds - many social struggles throughout the country. For this reason, many trade unions, social organisations and the students' federation of the University of Costa Rica have joined the national solidarity committee, which is organising a national and international campaign in defence of the comrades.
You can help in this struggle for trade union freedom and democratic rights by sending protest letters to the president of the republic, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Luis and Alicia Vargas, and by calling for solidarity.
Send the signed letter (with your function in trade unions, party, etc) to: Casa Presidencial al siguiente correo: mfernandez@casapres.go.cr or Fax: 00 506 2253 9078.
And send copies to these addresses:
00 506 2221 1696.
ciznardo@ins-cr.com
00 506 2224 2678.
sanjose@oit.or.cr
00 506 2222 8085.
fmorales@mtss.go.cr
upins@hotmail.com
alternativa.socialistaCR@gmx.info
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In The Socialist 18 February 2009:
Fight back now to stop job cuts
Anger as jobs slashed with an hour's notice
Car workers' jobs slaughter - begin the fightback!
Construction workers protest: Staythorpe power station
Meeting on Lindsey oil refinery dispute: Workers strike back
Why the bosses don't want an organised workforce
Socialist Students
Students protest against attacks on Gaza
'Books not Bombs' at Nottingham
Concessions won at Queen Mary university
Socialist Party editorial
Regulators resign over financial meltdown
Sport
London Olympics battered by economic crisis
Socialist Party campaigns
Yahya must stay Defend Saudi Arabian trade unionist from deportation
Coventry: Hands off our youth services!
Political vendetta against Tommy Sheridan
Wirral cuts: Fighting 'cultural terrorism'
Socialist Party feature
International socialist news and analysis
Israel: Election results indicate a deepening political crisis
Costa Rica: Urgent solidarity action for unionists
Socialist Party workplace news and analysis
Manchester Unison elections: Left candidates well supported
Usdaw presidential election: The campaign they tried to hide
Launch of new broad left for Unite
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