The German company Textilera Amoena is closing its operations in Costa Rica, dismissing 300 people. The company manufactures brassieres and swimwear for those who have undergone mastectomies.
Their have been substantial changes in the market, reported by the Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives. Textile exportations used to be 19% of the total export of goods (in 1997) but last year this activity accounted for just 1.1%. Costa Rican textiles lost relevance in the face of regional competition with El Salvador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Honduras.
The company’s main textile suppliers have been moved to Asian countries so it will make a move to be closer to them as well as its prominent European market. It assures that all procedures established by law for ending an employment relationship will be respected.
Amoena has been relocating employees in other companies over the last few months. Additionally, 180 of its employees are receiving training at the National Apprenticeship Institute in the area of medical devices.
