The Ombudsman Montserrat Solano strongly criticized local governments because most of them do not answer when it comes to issues related to the implementation of public policies to eradicate discrimination against the LGBT (homosexual, bisexual and transgender) community. A year ago, the government issued a decree for public institutions to apply “anti-exclusion” practices. However, Solano […]
Archives for May 17, 2016
Foreign vessels will come under scrutiny
Foreign vessels that raises suspicions will be under scrutiny from June. After a new international treaty, subscribed by Costa Rica, will soon be effective. The treaty’s title is “Acuerdo sobre Medidas del Estado Rector del Puerto” (PSMA, in English) and it is an innovative instrument promoted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Antonio […]
Real estate improves employment numbers
Some 45,000 new jobs were generated in March this year compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), the biggest growth was in real estate and rental activities. Jacqueline Castillo, head of the CCSS statistics department, explained that although construction rates have decreased, there is […]
Finance and insurance services accelerate growth
Financial services and insurance brokerage grew at a rate of 9,7% in March, according to BCR. This is an important progress compared to last year’s growth rate (5,5%). According to the monetary authority, placement and recruitment of resources -loans and savings- explain this result, since the private sector increased its credit demands and there is […]
UN committee calls for independence of judges
The Human Rights Committee of the United Nations expressed its concern for judges independence in Costa Rica after receiving information about the trial that the Supreme Court opened against judge Carlos Sánchez, who ruled in favor of the rights of a gay couple. Sánchez, a family judge, issued a decision for recognizing a civil union […]
Deputy Minister against new tax
Fernando Rodriguez, Deputy Minister of Revenue and Finance Ministry, does not support the tax of ¢20 per every interbank transfer of ¢100,000 included in the Regional Development Bill. The initiative aims to establish a fund to benefit underprivileged areas. However, despite the good intentions of the proposal, Rodríguez disagrees for several reasons. One of them […]