Costa Rica Holds At 8 Confirmed Cases of
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Two Mexicans Detained
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Higher Unemployment
For 2009 Predicted
ICE Ends Grace
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Nuts Help In Living Longer
Higher
Unemployment For 2009 Predicted
Unemployment could see a rise in Costa Rica,
according to the projections by experts of
the Observatorio de la Coyuntura de la
Universidad Nacional (UNA). In addition, the
UNA says that there will be no growth in
salaries, especially in the private sector.
Of course, on the positive side, inflation
will remain low and will help keep the
prices of the basic food basket down.
Dr. Henry Mora, economist for the UNA, says
that the current unemployment rate in Costa
Rica is 4.6%, with the possibility that that
will increase during this year.
Mora explained that in 2007, 70,000 new jobs
were created, but dropped to 20.000 new
opening in 2008 and may be even lower for
this year.
In addition, job losses have been on the
increase. During October 2008 and March
2009, the UNA reveals that 28.942 jobs were
lost, primarily in the construction
industry, followed by manufacturing and real
estate.
"We expect this year the poor not to face
higher inflation and a rise in the payment
of goods, but, rather a decrease in income
to satisfy basic needs", explained Roxana
Morales, one of the UNA investigators.
Dr. Mora feels that the policies of the
Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) - Central
Bank - promote a recession in the country
and suggests a change since there is no
reason to keep with the current monetary and
financial practices.
The economist said that the excuse used by
the Central Bank not to promote the
reactivation of the economy, by way of
interest rates, is that the inflation in the
country and the country's deficit have been
to high and there was no room to maneuver.
Mr. Mora says that the social policy and
consumer spending have led to the
disappearance of savings.
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