In
the Costa Rican News - Week 26th February - 4th March
2006
Costa
Rica's New Immigration Law about to come into full force!!!!
The New Immigration Law that was passed
last November will come into power August 13th of this
year and means much tighter laws on hiring non work permit
granted people. However most people in Costa Rica are
asking the question that they always ask, will they follow
through with this?
Over the past 4 years only 410 permits
to work have been authroised and it is estimated that
over 10,000 people are working illegally in Costa Rica.
Costa Rican employment law states that a work permit will
be given where evidence suggests that there is no Costa
Rican to do the same job. The government understands that
in such industries as Education that nobody can teach
English like a native speaker. However this law tightening
is more aimed at the hotel and tourism industry where
it is seen that most non legal workers work, depriving
Costa Rican's of perfectly good jobs.
The immigration police however do not
have the resources to go door to door to check employers,
however were it is seen that non legal professionals are
being employed, investigations will occur.
The
Government stated that it welcomes such companies to Costa
Rica that have employed permit only employees such as
Intel and Proctor and Gamble.
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Souvenir
Shop Criticism
Cafe Britt, one of Costa Rica's biggest
coffee manufacturers and tour operators has been criticised
as not supporting local Artisans and instead providing
foreign made crafts to visitors.
One local pottery maker from San Ramon
stated that she used to have a store in the International
Airport until it was handed over the Altera in 2001. Cafe
Britt bid for the sole concession to the shop and now
has the only store in the airport. The pottery maker was
pushed aside and when she expressed a willing to sell
her goods to Cafe Britt she was politely told no. Instead
it was replaced with Chinese made cups with Costa Rica
and frogs on.
Café Britt does sell some souvenirs
manufactured in Indonesia and China, such as shot glasses,
metal key chains, coffee mugs and baseball caps. However
it stated that 90% of goods sold were originally made
in Costa Rica.
So
a word to the wise, when shopping for souvenirs check
whether you are buying 'made in Costa Rica'!!
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Feb
26 - 4th March Exchange Rates
The
Exchnage rates below are not accurate on a daily basis
but just an approximation for your benefit. For more up
to date exchanges rates please visit your local bank or
online witha currency seller.
Costa
Rican Colon
US
Dollar
Usually
in Costa Rica US Dollars or Costa Rica Colones can be
used. in popular areas and in larger shops US dollars
will be more widely accpeted. However in samll towns and
locally run stores only Colones will be accpeted.
For
more information on Costa Rica why not visit our Costa
Rica Holiday Forum and read through what people are
saying and asking about Costa Rica.
