A dockworkers strike that began Tuesday has paralyzed Costa Rica's Caribbean port of Limón and prevented a 1,896-passenger cruise ship from docking.
Cargoes of fruit are standing by in containers, shippers are concerned about making it to northern markets before their supplies spoil and vendors and tour operators are vocally protesting the missed opportunity.
“People are very upset,” said Abraham Goldgewicht, who owns a coffee shop and art gallery in Limón. “There are a lot of independent contractors who can't work because of what's going on here.”
The strike comes at the same time that Costa Rica is trying to attract nearly $900 million in private investment – along with $80 million it's putting in on its own – to make the port city a modern, tourist-friendly destination.
“It's regrettable, deplorable and shameful,” saidPresidency Minister Rodrigo Arias in response to the strike. “This is the alternative that offers nothing. It's not the Costa Rica that we want, nor the one we dream of, nor the Limón that we are working toward, and will continue to work toward.”
The conflict between the Arias administration and dockworkers in Limón has been an ongoing battle, and no matter how many press conferences or dialogues, Arias has been unable to sweep it under the rug.
On Tuesday, workers began a protest for higher pay and proceeded to block three outgoing ships in Moín and two in Limón.
The union's administration is trying to distance itself from the strike, calling it irresponsible and unjustified.
“It's really just a small number of workers,” said Israel Oconitrillo, press officer with the Atlantic Port Authority union, explaining that a mere 53 of the union's 1,400 members are on strike.
Despite being turned away at the port, Holland America Line – which operates the cruise line – expects to return.
“We certainly realize that all parties want to resolve the issues and are hopeful this will be done for future visits,” said Erik Elvejord, spokesman for the Seattle-based company.
It is sometimes quite amazing how many people have been and will be hurt by the actions of just a few. While they probably have valid grievances, the loss to the economy and to those who wanted to make purchases (like Gene) is bigger than whatever they hoped to gain.
Why is it that those that should be hurt by actions of this type are never the ones who are harmed?
Well, maybe it is just those 'few' that are brave enough to stand up to the 'big bosses' to hold out for fair compensation. Costa Rica is a rather poor (and beautiful) country.
I followed your link to the article and cracked up at the single comment posted by an American who was on the ship. She is peeved that HAL didn't apologize to the cruisers!
Well, as we all know, if HAL did not have all of these imperialistic policies and met with the gun toting individuals in the formal dining venue, all would have been resolved.
(or they all would have gotten Noro and been incapacitated for several days but I shouldn't go there...... )
All back to normal again in Limon, it was just a 4 % of the port workers that were on strike, incredible that they could make such a mess, police had to take the port, they probably lost their job. Not only Zuiderdam guests were upset, also all workers on land, hope it will not happen anymore,
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Can't stop at this port for a while
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CLF scooped EVERYONE (all the other cruise boards and the mass media) because of Gene's LIVE report!
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