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Healthcare worker protests in Mexico and Costa Rica

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2026-08-21 23:42 UTC → 2026-09-01 20:17 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Healthcare workers in Mexico and Costa Rica have initiated strikes and blockades to protest systemic labor and resource issues. In Mexico, demonstrations have intensified across the State of Mexico, involving staff from the Instituto de Salud del Estado de México (ISEM) and IMSS-Bienestar. Protests have spread across multiple municipalities, including Toluca, Ecatepec, Chimalhuacán, Naucalpan, and Texcoco. Approximately 9,000 employees were affected by delayed salary payments for the first half of August. By August 20, workers affiliated with IMSS-Bienestar and ISEM began receiving the delayed payments for the first fortnight of August. The Sindicato Independiente Nacional de Trabajadores de la Salud (SINTS) noted that these delays were unique to the State of Mexico. Despite the arrival of funds, some employees reported receiving incomplete payments, citing unexplained deductions of approximately 300 pesos. Union representatives indicated that payments were released following dialogue with state authorities, though workers expressed frustration over the lack of official communication during the delay. In Toluca, some medical units have entered an indefinite strike, although emergency services reportedly remain operational. Beyond unpaid wages, workers are demanding more permanent contracts to ensure job security, as well as the provision of essential medical supplies, ambulances, and functioning equipment. These issues follow previous reports of staff at the Mónica Pretelini Saenz Maternal-Perinatal Hospital facing delayed biweekly payments, health bonuses, and food allowances, alongside critical staffing shortages. By late August, protests regarding resource shortages expanded to other regions. In ~~Costa Rica, nursing staff at Hospital México have launched a strike following a nine-month failure~~ Tamaulipas, IMSS-Bienestar personnel in Reynosa and Río Bravo blocked thoroughfares to ~~reach agreements~~ protest a lack of medicines, uniforms, and mandatory health breaks, with the ~~Caja Costarricense~~ union SINAITSA stating that dialogue with authorities has “reached its limit.” In Veracruz, staff at the Hospital Regional de ~~Seguro Social (CCSS). The National Union~~ Veracruz reported critical shortages of ~~Nursing and Affiliates (SINAE) cited personnel deficits in Emergency and Intensive Care units, irregular administrative practices,~~ sutures, gauze, analgesics, and ~~alleged retaliation against workers as primary drivers of the conflict.~~ antibiotics.

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