After the Port of Caldera concession in 2006, working conditions deteriorated and longshore workers' wages dropped by two-thirds. This official photo from the port shows a lack of several safety precautions.
When Costa Ricans faced a private port concession at the Port of Caldera in 2006, they were promised prosperity and efficiency for the Pacific port city of Puntarenas — promises similar to the ones being made at the Caribbean ports in Limón and Moín today.
Sadly, the past four years have proven that the Caldera port concession has led to ‘more poverty and less hope,’ according to a new investigative news series. The impacts on Puntarenas include:
- increased poverty
- increased unemployment
- deteriorated working conditions; wages reduced by 2/3
- safety and inspection failures
- inefficiencies leading to long ship delays
- infrastructure promises not materialized, including a grain dock that was never built
- decreased revenues for public services
We invite you to watch the series of news reports at the links below. Though the news reports were broadcast in Spanish, the implications are clear without a translation.
Part 1:
Privatization of the docks in Caldera, many promises but few results [WATCH]
Part 2:
Puntarenas is still waiting for its promised dock
Part 3:
Privatization of the Port of Calderas brought misfortunes to Puntarenas’ people