Brussels -- Intimidation in the private sector to stop workers organising, growing wage inequalities and concern over child labour in the agricultural sector. These findings are part of a new report released by the Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).
The report coincides with a review of Costa Rica's trade policy by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and concentrates on Costa Rica's respect for internationally-recognised core labour standards which include freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, prohibition of child and forced labour and non-discrimination in employment.
Child labour is a widespread problem in Costa Rica, with the agriculture sector being the largest employer of children. Many young women and girls work as domestic servants and there is also a very serious child prostitution problem in Costa Rica, associated in large part with sex tourism.
To conclude its report, the ICFTU calls on the WTO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to require Costa Rica to tackle these abuses of basic workers' rights and respect the internationally recognised core labour standards which it has committed itself to at both institutions.
Costa Rica must act immediately to end child prostitution, forced prostitution of adult women, and the trafficking of persons for the purposes of prostitution. The Government must act to ensure that the increase in sex tourism to Costa Rica does not hinder their efforts to eradicate these practices.
(For further information, please contact ICFTU Press Department at Tel.: (32 2) 224 0228; Email: press@icftu.org):
