Labor Ministry Issues Warnings To Those Not Paying Minimum Wages According To Law
The Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel) warned on Wednesday, June 6 that "progressive fines will be imposed in addition to other compulsive and coercive measures in order to make possible the fulfillment of back pay" of the minimum wage, in force in Panama since 2012. Labor Minister Alma Cortez spoke on this subject in a statement "in response to the repeated complaints about the failure to pay minimum wage," she stated in a press release. Mitradel also reiterated that this measure will be strictly enforced, and warned that those who do not comply will be punished according to law. Labor officials said they are "making one last appeal to ensure compliance with this provision, as established by Executive Decree 240 of 28 December 2011 and Executive Decree 241 of 30 December 2011." The Mitradel also warned they would not rule out publishing the list of companies that are found to be not complying with this provision. The average minimum wage to be paid to workers in region 1 is $432.64 per month. (Prensa)
Editor's Comment: Why issue warnings? The government should just issue fines to any company found to not be complying. What's with this "one last appeal" stuff. Like, we really, really, really mean it this time. That's crap. They should just respond to every complaint with an inspector, and issue fines as necessary to enforce - you know - the law. Publishing a list of names of violators is a good idea.
