BRIEFS. public safety

Workers’ union condemns high crime rate

In a press conference yesterday, the National Council of Organized Workers blamed the government for the “regrettable increase in the wave of crime” and demanded the “urgent implementation” of measures to counteract the problem.

Samuel Rivera, a member of the organization, noted that country’s workforce is being seriously affected by the highlighting the plight of private security agents throughout the city.

According to Rivera, these agents are risking their lives daily and receives in return a null wages and poor social security coverage.

Association records reveal that some 20 security guards have died this year “at the hands of criminals,” and noted that neither the Ministry of Labor and the Social Security Fund have attempted to compensate their families, their duties, "leaving these workers out in the cold.”