REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 19871, 020 v2. Timist gins Austry GLISS57020 LEGATION OF THE OVISION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FONIEC STUDIES MAY 01943 San José, Costa Rica, ZÕEPARTMENT OF STATE April 21, 1943.
No. 1697 Ook yy B114 44 Subject: Influencedor Labor in Costa Rican Politics and the Social Legislation resulting therefrom.
MAY 2013 ATSER ON POLITICALITATE AL SELATIONER. STRIOTLY. CONRIDEMAAL DE EXTMENT OF STATE MR. WUUGnis M1 1943 PAKTMER MENT STA!
RECEIVED DEPARTMENT OF STATE STATE 135 PR 27 PM 2015 RESEARS AND PUBLICATAD DIVISION OF hace Honorable The Secretary of State Washington, GMD DECLASSRED WD 730032 Es Vib MARA, Oate 43 89 Asterity have the honor to report that organized labor is beginning to assume an important part in Costa Rican politics. This importance derives in no little measure from the political and organizing ability of Manuel Mora, the Communist deputy. He and the labor syndicates under his direction have taken every advantage of the rising cost of living, the higher standards of living and pay given to Americans in Costa Rica, a situation which has been brought more to the front by the influx of so many persons to work on the Pan American Highway, and the statements of world leaders, in particular Vice President Wallace, on the raising of the standard of living of the workingman. With the world trend towards socialism, which has been bolstered by the heroic resistance of Russia, labor groups here have a potent argument on their side, but the chief reason why they have increased their political influence to such an extent is the favorable attitude of President CALDERON Guardia.
818. 00 1700 ergio kl Wiado RSS SU NOISIAIO Social Security Insurance was established in Costa Rica upon the sponsorship of the President. Studies of similar social legislation have been carried on and experts on such subjects have been invited to come to Costa Rica. The program for the construction of low cost houses, though begun in another administration, has been carried out with more success under this administration than ever before. President Calderón Guardia also proposed tol amend the Constitution to include certain social guarartees (see Legation despatch No. 389 of June 13, 1942. It is also generally agreed that the observance of labor regulations already part of the national statutes has been greatly increased under the present administration. member of the Oficina Técnica de Trabajo (Technical Labor Office) has stated to the Legation that this increased observance is due exclusively to the President personal interest in the working classes. It is also true that that office has increased its efficiency and its personnel during the past three years and been able thereby to use not its