Grupo Vidriero Centroamericano (Vical), better known in the country as Vicesa, dismissed 254 workers. This was reported by the company itself on Monday through a statement.
The measure is due to the transfer of one of its furnaces that operated in Cartago to its plant in Guatemala, in search of lower operating costs.
Vical’s traditional markets have been characterized in the last two years by a marked economic instability, which has resulted in a fall in demand in the region, among other factors due to an economic slowdown in Costa Rica as of September 201 ; political and social problems in Nicaragua and social instability in Haiti. All these events led to the company being forced to temporarily stop one of its four ovens on October 21st. Inevitably, with the stoppage of the furnace, 254 employees of Vicesa were fired, despite multiple efforts made to contain this tough decision,”
said the company.
The entity listed several aspects that have directly affected it, including the cost of medium-voltage electricity, which, he said, is 46.6% more expensive in Costa Rica than in Guatemala. Additionally, the cost of the bunker which is 17.1% more expensive in Costa Rica than in Guatemala.
Thirdly, they mentioned the tax burden on profits, which is 15 basis points higher in Costa Rica compared to Guatemala. They added that in Guatemala they have a local supply of raw materials such as silica and feldspar, while in Costa Rica this has not been possible.
Finally, the company referred to high port costs to export from Costa Rica.