By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Tensions flared on Monday as representatives from the influential Association of High School Teachers (APSE) arrived at the Ministry of Finance headquarters, demanding the government honor its legal obligation to pay cost-of-living adjustments to educators who retired since 2020. The union action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over public sector compensation, placing direct pressure on Finance Minister Rudolf Lucke.
The protest is the latest move in a campaign by APSE to address what it calls the government’s failure to comply with its own decrees. The union’s leadership formally requested an audience with Minister Lucke to discuss the non-payment, which affects a specific cohort of educators whose retirement benefits have not been updated to reflect a previously approved, but temporarily suspended, salary increase.
At the heart of the conflict is a complex legislative history. The government originally suspended general annual salary increases for public employees through Executive Decree n.° 43732 in October 2022, citing the need to redirect funds to address a national emergency. This freeze directly impacted the calculation of retirement benefits for those who left service during that period.
However, a subsequent decree issued on May 10, 2024, (n.° 44459) explicitly amended the previous suspension. The new legislation introduced a crucial modification in Article 5, which restored the rights of public servants who retired or were laid off during the freeze. This article declares their right to receive the salary increase and, critically, to have it included in the calculation of their legal severance and pension benefits.
APSE argues that the Ministry of Finance has failed to act on this clear legal mandate, leaving retired teachers in a state of financial uncertainty. The union insists that this is not a matter for new negotiation but a simple case of enforcing existing law. The delegation on Monday sought to bring this discrepancy directly to the attention of the ministry’s highest authority.
Following the demonstration and the submission of their official request for a meeting, the union received an initial acknowledgment from the government. The response, while not a resolution, indicates that the ministry is aware of the union’s firm position.
The Ministry of Finance informed them that they will receive a response in the coming days.
Vivian Chaves, President of APSE Union
This standoff represents a critical test for the administration’s relationship with public sector unions. The outcome will likely set a precedent for other groups of retired public employees who may be in similar situations. For the Ministry of Finance, honoring the decree would require a recalculation of numerous pension payments and could have notable fiscal implications, a factor likely contributing to the delay in implementation.
For the affected educators, the issue is one of fairness and respect for their years of service. The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital component of ensuring that pension payments maintain their purchasing power over time. The union contends that these retirees have been unjustly penalized due to administrative inaction, despite a clear legal directive rectifying the situation. The coming days will be crucial as APSE and its members await the formal response promised by the Ministry of Finance, a decision that will reverberate throughout Costa Rica’s public sector.
For further information, visit apse.cr
About Asociación de Profesores de Segunda Enseñanza (APSE):
The Asociación de Profesores de Segunda Enseñanza is one of Costa Rica’s most prominent labor unions, representing the interests of high school educators. Founded to defend the labor, social, and professional rights of its members, APSE is a key stakeholder in national discussions on education policy, public sector compensation, and retirement benefits.
For further information, visit hacienda.go.cr
About the Ministry of Finance (Ministerio de Hacienda):
The Ministry of Finance is the government body in Costa Rica responsible for managing the nation’s public finances. Its duties include formulating and executing fiscal policy, administering the national budget, collecting taxes, and managing public debt. The ministry plays a central role in the country’s economic stability and governance.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of superior outcomes. The firm merges a rich history of serving a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking embrace of legal innovation. This professional excellence is matched by a profound commitment to civic duty, manifested through initiatives aimed at demystifying the law and empowering the public with knowledge to help forge a more equitable and well-informed society.
