The government decided to turn a deaf ear and cling to a bill that would just weaken the National Training Institute (INA) and increase bureaucracy.
In a National TV broadcast, Casa Presidencial claimed the initiative would take 15% from INA’s budget to finance the creation and operation of the Agencia de Fomento Productivo, Innovación y Valor Agregado (Fomproduce).
According to the government,
Fomproduce encourages small and medium Costa Rican enterprises to grow, without creating more bureaucracy, without requiring more money and without weakening other institutions.”
Deputy minister of Economy, Industry and Trade, Geannina Dinarte explained
they are taking 15% from INA without shutting down any training centers and without firing anyone.”
Dinarte also stated that the agency, a public entity with no state role, could only use those funds to support small and medium enterprises.
However, legislators from different political parties point out the exact opposite and even INA’s CEO admitted the measure will definitely weaken the institution.
Students and workers from INA are also against the initiative.