The top European city for landmark-focused tourism is:
This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy.

Rally held in San Juan to protest budget cuts

By: Gay Nagle MyersOctober 15, 2009

Thousands of people marched at a rally in San Juan Thursday to protest government budget cuts that will eliminate 17,000 jobs as a means to close Puerto Rico's $3.2 billion budget gap.

The first round of public sector job cuts is expected to take place in November.

Puerto Rico's unemployment rate already was 15.8% in August, higher than any U.S. state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate was 9.5% in September.

The massive rally was held at the Plaza Las Americas, the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean with 300 stores and 30 restaurants, according to the Associated Press.

The mall was closed for the day, as were some schools, stores and businesses. Government agencies, including the Puerto Rico Tourism Co., remained open.

Hotels were making alternate transportation plans for guests, in case taxi drivers in San Juan joined the strike. The airport and cruise port were operating normally, according to a tourism spokesperson.

From 1 to 3 of 3 Comment(s)

Leave a Comment
#3October 18, 2009
Spinelli, as always, makes great sense. Following his dramatically successful career as founder and developer of the premier retail travel consortium in the U.S. he's devoted his life to improving the economic situation in Haiti. The economic chiefdom in the various Caribbean countries would be well served to unite and approach Mike with a request that he develop an association of U.S. countries interested in strengthening our Caribbean ties and producing profits while doing it. Alan Alford
#2October 16, 2009
"L'union Fait La Force" In Union is the force, is the motto of Haiti. Why not apply it to the Caribbean and call it C.A.T. Carribean Association for Trade! The Caribbean is ripe for unification to develop industry to create jobs. Haiti can certainly attest to this! Haiti is as close to Miami as Boston is to Washington DC and not only needs industry, but, is ripe for tourism!! If the Caribbean could unite, then, it would open the door for all islands! The Caribbean Union is LONG overdue! Mike Spinelli, Sr.
#1October 16, 2009
Puerto Rico has 15.8% unemployment, Haiti has 76% unemployment. The message here is to go after outsourcing of manufacturing from the USA. When Konrad Adenauer, in the first chancellor of Germany post WWII farewell address he said words to the effect that if he was granted one wish it would be for a 300 Mile border with the USA. Well, Caribbean, you virtually have just that. I bought flight bags from the far east which cost me $ 3.00 but shipping was $ 2.75 a bag. This shipping differential would make the Caribbean most competitive for outsourcing. My recommendation is that the Caribbean work as one unit, with an economic development committee, to go after the huge market for outsourcing in their neighbor, USA. Perhaps form a Consortium?? Mike Spinelli, Sr.

Leave a Comment

Comment Guidelines
Your
Comment: 		characters remaining