Costa Rica’s labor ministry (MTSS) presented a formal proposal outlining a 406bn-colón (US$751mn) investment plan intended to strengthen Atlantic port authority Japdeva and develop projects in Limón province.

The proposal seeks to resolve an ongoing dispute between the government and the Japdeva labor union Sintrajap.

Some 270bn colones would go to widen the Braulio Carillo highway and 140bn colones are earmarked to develop Limón’s projects portfolio, according to a government release.

Another 52bn colones would be spent strengthening Japdeva, including purchasing two post-Panamax cranes and a tug boat, and expanding the Kogan Kogan terminal at the Moín port.

Sintrajap has been on strike since October 22 in protest at the award of the Moín container terminal concession to Maersk subsidiary APM Terminals, a project that the union fears will create a monopoly.

Sintrajap requested 48 hours to review the proposal before meeting Wednesday with MTSS, the release said.

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