Édgar Mora, Minister of Public Education, insists that teachers must return to schools to avoid further impact to the school year that has suffered for five weeks without lessons. The Minister assures that there will be no reprisals against the officials who decide to resume their work.
The way back to the classroom is safe. It is exempt from sanctions and reprisals,”
said Mora said in a radio show on Monday.
However, if the appeal made by education unions regarding the illegality of their strike is declared null and void, the officials will be exposed to salary reductions, as indicated in the Labor Code.
According to the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), the daily investment to pay educators is ₡3,5 billion, but the strike generated a loss of some ₡90 billion.
The payment of salaries is for the provision of an internal service of the MEP, which is to give lessons; and when those lessons are not given, it should be paid to society. Our obligation is to comply with the legality block and ensure that this does not imply a layer of immunity and impunity,”
said Mora.
Judge Francisco Quesada determined the strike in the MEP is illegal, after considering that this collective movement stole peace from Costa Ricans and transgressed their right to freedom of transit. However, the unions appealed this decision, so they are awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeals.