Costa Rica Supreme Court approves fiscal reform

The government's plans to fortify public-sector finances, including new taxes and salary perks in the public sector, has been approved by the Supreme Court. Legislators and President Carlos Alvarado are now cleared to approved the new measures within a few days.

The fiscal plan includes 13 percent IVA and 1 percent on the basic "basket" of foodstuffs. In the public sector, new measures are being imposed to limit annual bonuses.

The debate over the fiscal plan sparked a nationwide strike that lasted for more than 70 days.