By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - As you probably already know, over the weekend Panama's National Assembly passed Law 177, also known as the "Lobster Law" or the "9 in 1" law, because it modified three codes (Penal, Judicial, and Labor) as well as articles of six other existing laws. The base or underlying law has to do with commercial aviation and the first Eleven Articles of Law 177 deal specifically with those issues only. In the days and weeks leading up to the debates and voting by the National Assembly, labor unions, specifically the leadership of the SUNTRACS construction workers, held marches and protests against the parts of the new law that modify the Labor Code as it deals with the right to strike. Articles 12 through 16 of Law 177 discuss these issues, and I have translated them below for your review. Here is a summary of what the law says;

• Workers can still walk out on a legal strike if they have the support of the majority of workers.
  
  
• Once a strike has been declared, authorities from the Ministry of Labor will order the deployment of police officers who will be assigned the task of safeguarding people and property. In short, they will be there to enforce the law and keep the peace.
  
  
• Business owners are now guaranteed access to their facilities, as well as non striking maintenance, administrative, and managerial personnel, for purposes of non production activities such as maintenance and repair of equipment to prevent damage while the strike continues. Before the passage of this law striking employees would "take over" an entire facility and prevent anyone from entering, for any reason. This has been eliminated.
  
  
• Business owners and managers can ask authorities from the Ministry of Labor to verify if the strikers do, in fact, represent a majority of workers. The Ministry of Labor will conduct a headcount and if the striking workers have a majority then the strike is validated and legal. If the striking workers do not in fact represent a majority of the workers then the strike is null and void.
  
  
• During a strike, business owners can hire people to maintain equipment and conduct preventative maintenance, however these employees cannot be used for production.
  
  
• Regarding Federations, Groups, And Groups of Unions; The law allows for the Executive Branch to constitute a National Workers Board that will consist of representatives from the various union groups and federations that exist, who will act in an advisory capacity. The Executive Branch will also designate who will attend any international labor or union meetings or conferences in places like the UN for example.

Nicking At The Corners: Once again, I see these changes as a minor shift of power towards business owners, and a slight loss of power for labor unions. Workers still have the right to strike and to collective bargaining, their primary weapon. Business owners now are guaranteed access to their plants and facilities during a strike, to ensure their equipment and machinery does not deteriorate during the course of a strike. Employers cannot hire replacement workers during a strike, and they cannot use maintenance or administrative personnel for production. I think these elements simply address some of the concerns and problems that have emerged during recent labor stoppages, and the details of this law certainly do not include all of the extreme measures the SUNTRACS guys were screaming about, when they alleged the law would supposedly "eliminate their right to strike." I covered a SUNTRACS march last week, and their concerns that this new law would eliminate their right to strike were completely unfounded. However, no matter - as usual they just used the issue to get some face time on television, and their leader Saul Mendez was even allowed to speak before the National Assembly. In other words, it was political. The SUNTRACS is now little more than a political arm of the extreme left in Panama, which supports the politics and policies of Hugo Chavez. The full text of the Articles in question follow below, so if you are so inclined you can read them for yourself. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,457 words)

The Ministry of Labor conducted inspections in night clubs in San Miguelito on Thursday night, discovering 15 undocumented people, said the director Victor Cordoba. The inspectors, working together with the National Police, inspected 11 businesses in the area, finding cases of foreigners who were working without work permits and without proper immigration documents. Several of them resisted by refusing to produce documents or permits. Some of the companies did not even have business licences. The foreigners discovered were Venezuelan, Chinese, Colombian and Dominican. Surprise inspections will continue, to ensure the companies and individuals are complying with the law. (La Estrella)

Editor's Comment: Interesting. They conduct a raid on Thursday night, but this time it's not immigration, but rather the Ministry of Labor. The last few weeks in a row Immigration has been rounding up women who are in Panama legally as tourists, but since they were found to be sitting in a bar across the street from the Marriott Hotel (which, according to the Director of Immigration is a "Red Zone" whatever that means) they were hauled away and jailed illegally for more than two weeks. They were only released after they paid bribes of between $1,000 to $1,500 each. Notice this article does not say what happened to the women. It doesn't even say they were women. The only indication that this was another raid and a continuation of the series of Thursday night raids was that they went to "night clubs" which normally means something having to do with prostitution - like strippers or massage parlors. Were they taken to the holding cells in Immigration? Has the Ministry of Labor jumped onto the gravy train of squeezing bribes from tourists who are working as impromptu prostitutes? Panamanian journalists are now investigating all of this and you'll see it on television soon.   

About 22% of businesses in Panama plan to hire more workers during the third quarter of 2010, according to an "Employment Outlook Survey" conducted by Manpower of Panama. When asked: "Do you anticipate a change to your organizations labor force for the next quarter?" - Of the 620 companies that participated in the survey, 136 (22%) said they would be increasing their staffs from July to September of this year. Only 37 (6%) said they would be reducing the size of their staff, while 446 (72%) said they would remain at the same level of staffing. Eric Quesada, Manpower's regional director for Central America and the Dominican Republic, said the outcome of the survey held in Panama was good, but more training is needed, because one in three companies reported they cannot find qualified staff. (El Siglo)

Editor's Comment: Panama's economy continues to grow at a steady clip, and a growing economy generates more jobs. Notice, that while 22% say they intend to hire more people, 33% say they cannot find qualified workers. Maybe there would be more companies hiring more employees, if those employees were available to be hired?   

The Director of INADEH, Temístocles Rosas , said on the Channel 2 TVN morning newscast that Panama has the human resources required for the expansion of the Panama Canal. Rosas said the INADEH signed an agreement to train the personnel required by the Panama Canal in technical areas, and to that end they have also been working together with the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL). Rosas said the INADEH is keeping the Panama Canal Authority informed and he displayed a matrix showing the types of technicians that are needed, and that the training of these people is underway. Recently INADEH and the "Grupo Unidos por el Canal" (who won one of the primary contracts) signed an agreement to meet the training requirements, according to the academic offerings of the institution, and the introduction of new programs that complement the demand for skilled personnel. An INADEH bulletin states the most sought after positions are: earth moving foreman, electrical line foreman, heavy equipment maintenance foreman, high voltage line worker, carpenters, mechanics, first and second grade equipment operators, plumbers, steel workers, welders, electricians, electrical mechanics, lineman, among others. Rosas said the INADEH has the capability to train Panamanians in different areas, complying with the profile and international certification to provide skilled manpower which will be required by all aspects of the work being done on the waterway. (TVN Noticias)

Editor's Comment: There's a huge difference between some dude who just graduated from a government sponsored eight week course in welding or whatever, and someone who has thirty years of experience. I understand that these jobs are being created here in Panama, and there is both a need and a desire to fill these positions with Panamanian labor. The unemployment rate continues to fall, the birth rate remains relatively stable, but yet the economy is expanding by leaps and bounds. Strategically speaking, that translates into a labor shortage in the mid-term. I suspect Panama will eventually start handing out short-term "labor visas" or something like that, to allow foreign workers to come to Panama specifically to work on the expansion of the Panama Canal. However "built by the lowest bidder, using rookie labor" is not exactly the picture the ACP wants to paint, I'm sure.   

Union leaders received another barrage of criticism from the Minister of Labor and Social Development (MITRADEL), Alma Cortez. This time, Cortes reported a series of situations that occur within the walls of the unions. And she vowed to solve these problems even if the law needs to be changed. About the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO) the Minister said they don't do anything and simply spend their time fighting to see who will go to the International Labour Organization conference (ILO) and collect the $15,000 allowance. About the Single National Union of Construction Industry Workers (SUNTRACS), the minister said they have millions of dollars deposited in the bank and that she would verify to see if those funds are being used to train workers. Cortes announced that she has labor auditors available to investigate all unions, if requested by just 10% of the membership. And she said she has received complaints from workers who say they do not receive anything in exchange for their union dues. Genaro Lopez, SUNTRACS leader, said he did not know it was wrong to deposit the union dues paid by their members into a bank account. He said they send quarterly reports to MITRADEL. "This is a persecution." Rafael Chavarria, of the CONATO, said that "this is a dream of the minister" because MITRADEL can not audit anything, it is the unions that have this function. (La Estrella)    

Panama's Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino said that all of the comments and adverse reactions arising out of the statements he made on possible reforms to the labor code, are the product of mere speculation and that there is "nothing concrete" on this. "No proposal to reform the labor code has been presented at any time, and what's less has there been any thought or conversation in the government on the ideas and themes that people have been speculating about such as to eliminate days off or overtime," said Vallarino, who blamed the "opposition" for all of the controversy that has arisen on these issues. "There is nothing at this stage that has been discussed within the Government, to be submitted any time soon to the public," he said. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: Last week Vallarino made some statements that were interpreted by labor leaders to mean he was planning to submit a reform to the labor code. Apparently, they are not considering any such changes, and this is all about the SUNTRACS guys looking for a way to start a fight and to get their people riled up, over nothing.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The Contract Analysis section of the Ministry of Labor in Panama registered 8,815 new labor contracts between 1 to 15 March 2010. Of those new employment contracts, 6,811 were men and 2,004 were women. Of the total, 3,559 are for a specific or defined period of time, and the remaining 2,402 are indefinite positions. Thus far in 2010, counting January, February, and the first two weeks of March, a total of 42,366 new labor contracts have been signed and registered with the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development, reflecting strong growth in the national economy. According to a press release, "these indicators also reflect the confidence of the private sector in the economic policies of President Ricardo Martinelli, which when added to the new jobs being produced by mega-projects such as expansion of the Panama Canal, the construction of the "Coastal Strip" and other large-scale projects, show how this government is working to ensure a better Panama reaches everyone." Panama is a relatively small country with a population of only 3.4 million people. The fact that the Ministry of Labor recorded 42,366 new jobs in the country thus far in 2010 is good news, and a further indication that the country is well positioned to continue its economic growth and development. Employment and job creation is a lagging indicator - meaning the decisions are made, contracts are signed, permits and permissions sought, all before any real numbers of people are hired to do the work. There are people putting deals together right now that will produce even more jobs in twelve to eighteen months down the road. An expanding or growing economy creates more jobs and puts people to work. Panama's economy continued to expand over the last two years while most of the rest of Latin America was contracting. (Source - Press Release)

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

Amidst a mix of satisfaction and confusion, the Panamanian Government yesterday presented checks worth $15.6 million dollars to 257 former railroad employees who had to wait nearly 13 years for the payment of their services. One of those who was surprised when he received his check was José Alexis Acevedo, 63, upon discovering the government had deducted $8,000 dollars for income taxes and educational insurance. Acevedo said his lawyers told him he should get this money back, and that instead of receiving $45,000 he got $36,000 and he has not ruled out the possibility of filing a claim with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. According to the representative of the former employees, Donald Miller, these salaries are for 88 months of work, and therefore he thinks the cancellation of this debt represents "a chapter of our lives that we can now close." President Ricardo Martinelli, who was present and the ceremony to present the checks to the former railroad workers, told those present that "it's never too late for good news." "After eight months in office, I see the things that happened during previous administrations, and this was so simple and easy but they did not resolve the problem (...) what was missing here was a will, a desire to go good, what I saw (from past administrations) was a desire to see how far they could extend this or how long they could delay paying, and to take away from you all that they could, and today we are doing justice," said the President. In a playful tone he said there is still another issue pending - payments to the former dockworkers - and he instructed the authorities to accelerate the negotiations. On this particular issue, he said there is no need for these people to pay lawyers because the negotiations will be conducted in a favorable environment. "Don't let the lawyers scam you for 20% of the money, when there is a good will (on our part) to do things, then things get done and this government keeps it's word to the people," he said. (Source - La Critica)

Editor's Comment: Back in 1997 the Government of Panama under former president Ernesto Perez Balladares privatized the railroad. These 257 former government employees were basically fired from one day to the next and tossed out on their asses. A long series of legal battles ensued and eventually they won a judgement from the Supreme Court which said the government of Panama owed them the money. This judgement was handed down a long time ago, during the administration of Martin Torrijos, who never saw fit to actually cut the checks and pay the workers what they legally had coming to them. Ricardo Martinelli's administration finally did what should have been done in 1997 - they took care of their employees. I remember meeting a handful of these people several years ago, as they marched towards the offices of the Comptroller to hold yet another protest. Yesterday, they finally got paid. Good for them.   

About 250,000 workers in Panama will see an increase in their paychecks today, as a result of the new increases to the minimum wage announced by the government at the end of last year, which takes effect as of today, 15 January 2010. However, there are many complaints and doubts. Every company is obliged to pay their employees at the new rates as per Executive Order Number 263, which regulates the minimum wage and specifies what has to be paid according to the type of commercial activity and region of the country. The Ministry of Labor has launched an information campaign using kiosks in shopping malls, where they have personnel working who can explain the charts and tables of the new minimum wage. What's more, anyone who has a question can call the Ministry of Labor at 560-1100 for inquiries or complaints. (Source: Kathyria Caicedo for Telemetro Reporta)   

By Jaime Raúl Molina for Panama-Guide.com - We in Panama have a series of artificial barriers created by legislative action, that make it extremely difficult for businesses in the country to hire the services of highly qualified foreign employees. This, instead of benefitting Panamanian workers as is the declared intention, results in a reduced competitiveness for Panamanian businesses in a global marketplace.

A Mistaken Economic View

The view above expressed is a labour policy based on an economic fallacy, that sees job positions as a pie of fixed size, and that the least people there are to share the pie, the greater the specific portions will be for each one. A zero sum game, in sum. However, in a globalized marketplace, it is competitive advantages what makes businesses and economic actors more competitive.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,114 words)

By FLOR BOCHAREL in Puerto Armuelles, CHIRIQUÍ for La Prensa - Today, the evaluation commission to define the future of the Multiple Services Cooperative of Puerto Armuelles Fruit Company (Coosemupar) will announce if the only company interested in buying the banana business, Centro de Distribución de Toscana (CEDIT), complies with the guidelines established or not. After the time allowed for the submission of proposals, the lawyer Enzo Polo, who represents the companies Agro K and Boquerón Trading, who withdrew their bids, says that CEDIT is not qualified to participate because it owes money to Coosemupar for fruit sold through the Agricultural Commodity Exchange years ago. In that sense, the national director of Bananas, Roberto Santamaria, said the existing claims between Coosemupar and CEDIT will be addressed in two areas, the claims for current accounts for the purchase and sale of fruit and claims for damaged fruit, that were either not purchased (rejected) or not delivered, but he explained that on these topics there is no pending litigation. On Tuesday the government will make its official announcement on whether the company will manage the banana business, in David at 8:00 am.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (204 words)

By OHIGGINIS ARCIA JARAMILLO for La Prensa - The waiting has ended. The Panamanian government issued an executive order yesterday establishing new minimum wages which will take effect starting 1 January 2010. This measure, which will put more money into the pockets of 250,000 workers, includes classifications into two zones. Zone One - comprised of Panamá, Colón, San Miguelito, David, Santiago, Chitré, Aguadulce, Penonomé, La Chorrera, Arraiján and the District of Bocas del Toro - increases were approved from $33 to $95 dollars per month. In other words, the new minimum wage will increase from from $357 to $416 per month. The rest of the country is in Zone Two, where minimum wages will increase from $31 to $95 per month. This means that the minimum wage will go from $349 to $ 416. For both areas, the minimum wage varies according to activity and occupation. Panama's president Ricardo Martinelli described the increase as "an act of justice never before seen in the past 50 years," however both employers and employees are unhappy with the decision. (Editor's Comment: Obviously, business owners wanted to pay less and employees wanted to get more, which is why both sides are "unhappy." In Panama most people work a 45 hour week or about 180 hours in a month. Even at the highest rate of $416 per month that still only works out to about $2.31 per hour. This increase will put about an additional $15.7 million dollars per month into circulation in the Panamanian economy, and of course employers will now increase their prices to pass additional labor costs onto the public, so expect prices to rise slightly across the board, especially in those businesses such as retail outlets and grocery stores that rely heavily on minimum wage workers.)   

By Kathyria Caicedo for Telemetro - The government was supposed to announce an increase to the minimum wage today, but they decided to postpone the announcement. Currently, the minimum wage is $325 per month. Hernán García Aparicio, the Secretary of the Labor Ministry, confirmed that because the Minimum Wage Commission failed to reach agreement, the government thought it would be prudent to take a little longer to make a decision. According to Garcia, the main goal is to have an increase to the minimum wage that is in line with the country's situation. The decision should be announced before 31 December. In the Minimum Wage Commission, workers represented by Conato submitted a proposal to have the minimum wage increased to $625 per month, while employers say the increase should be to $360 or $370 per month.   

By Chris Yee for El Siglo - After long hours of discussion, the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) proposed an increase to 15% the minimum wage. The increases could range from $ 6.30 to $ 41.50 per month. Business leaders presented numbers that could take effect starting in 2010, however workers are insisting on an increase of almost 100%. The proposal made by CONEP calls for a minimum wage of $650 per month. Antonio Graell, the leader of the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO), refuted the figures presented by the business sector. For Graell, there is a sufficient basis to pay a minimum wage above $600 dollars per month. "Next week we will gather and analyze the proposal," he said. According to a CONEP press release, the economy is currently experiencing the negative effects of the international financial crisis, which is holding Panama's economy to annual growth of only 2% to 2.5%, which does not favor the workers' proposal. The workers are betting that the Ministry of Labor review and eliminate one of the three areas they currently govern. Currently the best paid workers are in the construction sector where they make a minimum wage of $1.87 per hour, while the lowest paid workers are in the agricultural sector, earning just $1.01 per hour, the same as that paid by small businesses. The tripartite committee met yesterday behind closed doors starting early in the morning, and they did not emerge to discuss the progress they had made until 3:00 pm that afternoon. The committee members agreed to meet again next Wednesday, 2 December 2009, and if they don't reach an agreement then the final decision will be in the hands of the government. The current minimum wage in Panama is $325 per month, one of the highest in Central America, however monthly basic food costs reach $272 per month. CONATO is asking for a minimum wage of $650 per month. (Editor's Comment: These discussions over an increase to the minimum wage have been going on for a few weeks now, and I suspect the government will announce an increase that will take effect on 1 January 2010. The final number will almost certainly be more than what the business leaders are offering, and less than what the union leaders are asking. No matter what, whatever happens will probably be the largest single increase in the minimum wage in recent history. This is another area where Ricardo Martinelli is following through on campaign promises made during the election cycle.)   

By MANUEL LUNA G. for La Estrella - PANAMA. A caretaker of a luxury building and a store clerk could earn a new minimum wage of nearly $420 starting in January 2010. This is with the government proposal to increase the minimum wage by up to 30% for the ten job categories which have registered the most dynamism and financial growth. A total of 243,000 workers currently receive the minimum wage and more than 150,000 of them could receive the increase. But the proposal does not seem to have many adherents. The president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), Gaspar Garcia de Paredes, believes that an increase of 30% "is too much." While yesterday CONATO "flatly rejected" the segmentation of activities proposed by the government. Union leader Alfredo Graell argues that the increase should be equal for all, to prevent evasions in business. (Editor's Comment: The government of Panama has been discussing an increase to the minimum wage for months. What remains to be decided is how much, and how it will be implemented. Obviously the business sector wants to pay less, and the workers want more. There will be an increase, probably before the end of the year, but the details are yet to develop.)   

TVN Noticias - The labor sector is seeking a minimum wage of $650, a general wage increase and a freeze on prices of basic food, said Rafael Chavarria. The Minimum Wage Commission, which includes representatives of workers, employers and the government, has finished doing the technical study and Chavarria said he would wait until the tripartite commission meeting that will be held in David tomorrow to announce the possibility of reaching an agreement. Chavarria also said the labor sector disagrees with the government over the current level of unemployment. On this point, Chavarria says unemployment stands between 11% and 12% and not less than 10%, which is why he considers that the number cited by the government is not consistent with reality.   

PANAMA (AFP). The jobless rate reached 6.6% in Panama in August, one percentage point increase over the same month last year, according to the Comptroller. According to the Household Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, "the overall unemployment rate rose from 5.6% in August 2008, to 6.6% in August this year," said the Comptroller in a statement. Unemployment is higher in urban areas (7.9%) than rural (3.9%) and affects more women (8.9%) than men (5.1%). "In fact just the loss of 2,131 jobs (in the midst of international crisis) according to the survey estimate is minimal," said Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino. Unemployment rose due to the completion of various infrastructure projects in the first six months of the year and due to the economic crisis "that has affected certain sectors," the minister told RPC Radio. According to the survey, the economically active population reached 4.2 million, up 2% from a year ago. The Atlantic province of Colon had the highest unemployment rate (10.4%) and the Darien jungle of the lowest (1.4%) with indigenous areas (1%), detailed the Comptroller.   

Panama America - On Monday, 10 August 2009, Panama's Labor Ministry will hold the official launch of their now "My First Job" program. This program is targeted towards young workers between the ages of 18 to 29. The program aims to benefit 20,000 young workers who are active job seekers, especially those who are having greater difficulties entering the labor market. The government has allocated $11 million dollars to encourage young entrepreneurs during the first year of the program.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (126 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - On 17 August 2009, a special Minimum Wage Commission, nominated by Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli through Executive Order Number 48 of 4 August 2009, will be installed according to a press release from Panama's Labor Minister Alma Cortés. The commission will be comprised of representatives from the government, private sector, and organized labor and will discuss changes that have to be made in the actual minimum wage in Panama. One of the first things Ricardo Martinelli accomplished shortly after taking office was the elimination of the "third zone" - improving the purchasing power of thousands of Panamanians who live and work in the interior of the country. The executive order signed by Martinelli designates Labor Minister Alma Cortés to preside over the Minimum Wage Commission, which will also include representatives from MITRADEL, MEF, MICI, MIDA, CONEP, CAPAC, and CONATO.   

By: Kathyria Caicedo for Telemetro Reporta - The recruitment of foreign labor is an issue of concern to the authorities, according to Labor Minister Alma Cortés, especially when there are many companies exceeding legal limits. Cortés is considering meeting with business executives from companies such as Odebretch as Copa Airlines, two companies that have more than 10% of their positions occupied by foreigners.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (78 words)

By Gilberto Pérez for El Siglo - A total of 53,417 new work contracts were signed between January to March of 2009, or 3,407 more than were registered during the same period last year, according to numbers issued by the Ministry of Work and Labor Development (Mitradel). At least 18,451 were signed for a defined period of time, 13,980 were for an indefinite period of time, and another 20,959 were to complete a specific project. Apparently Panama is not being effected so severely by the economic crisis that is shaking the world, and everything indicates productivity is robust. Rodolfo Stanziola, the Director of Labor at Mitradel, said a large number of the new labor contracts are coming from the construction sector and in second place, but no less important, from the services sector. “Restaurants, hotels and others are demanding manpower, and the market in that sector is turning," said Stanziola. But everything is not rose colored. Preparation is essential to obtain a good paying job that, at least, covers basic living expenses.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (459 words)

I have been bringing clients to Panama for the past year who are interested in purchasing real estate in Panama. I have over 20 years experience in real estate and project management. I am not ready to move to Panama yet but would like to know how to find consulting jobs for companies in Panama while I continue to live in the United States. There is no problem for me traveling to Panama at any given time. Any networking tips on how to obtain a consulting job would greatly be appreciated.   

Telemetro Reporta - Unemployment in Panama dropped to 5.6% in 2008 according to the Ministry of Labor, and they estimate that in 2009 the Panamanian economy will maintain the conditions necessary to continue to generate new jobs. "One should not fear an apocalyptic scenario because there are conditions to generate dignified and decent jobs," said Labor Minister Benjamin Salamín today, Wednesday, making reference to the international financial crisis. Salamín said unemployment in Panama was at 14% in 2004 and that it has been continuously lowering. "2008 closed with an unemployment level of 5.6% which is very positive - it means approximately 215,218 new jobs have been created in the country," he said. The economic activities that have contributed more to the creation of new jobs are commerce, construction, and tourism among others. The government has said sustained growth of the economy based on public and private investment has allowed Panama's poor access to new jobs. (See Comments)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (448 words)

Skilled employees within the shipping industry could soon be participating in the expansion of the Panama Canal. On Wednesday, Labour and Social Security Minister, Pearnel Charles agreed to support the Joint Industrial Council for the Port of Kingston to recruit an existing pool of port workers for the project. The agreement is expected to help strengthen global trade and expand Government resources available for economic and social development. Mr. Charles also disclosed that he would make a recommendation to Prime Minister Bruce Golding to appoint members of the Council to help oversee the employment process based on their knowledge and experience of the industry. In the meantime the President Elect of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Roger Hinds said the Shipping Association will continue to play a vital role in expanding the country's earnings by facilitating the entry of skilled Jamaican workers in Panama.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (184 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Hiring a maid or domestic employee to take care of the basic cooking and cleaning is one of the advantages of living in Panama. These relationships, in which the English speaking expat is the employer and the maid is the employee, often become a source of problems and conflict. The Panamanian legal system is definitely skewed toward helping the "little guy," and in most cases the American or Canadian employer has many times the money and resources of the maid they hired. As a general rule of thumb all maids are angels on the first day they start working and the devil with a red dress on the last day. There are very precise requirements in Panamanian law regarding what you have to pay your maid and when, and I'm not going to cover all of that again in this article. Rather, I'm only going to focus on what to do when your maid shows up with a notice that you have to appear at a hearing in the Ministry of Labor. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,066 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today via email: "I am a Board Certified, licensed Family Physician in Florida and am interested in moving to Panama. I am not ready to retire and have been trying to find out what the process is for obtaining a license to practice medicine in Panama. I have not found that addresses that question on the Ministry of Health website. Any other suggestions? Thanks." Sorry, but foreigners are prohibited from practicing medicine in the Republic of Panama. As far as I know there's no way around that restriction other than running some kind of a non-declared clinic on the sly or something. There are a few chiropractors, for example, who are doing that kind of thing but it's obviously dangerous - all it takes is one ticked off former patient to drop a dime and you're toast. So, unless you're a Panamanian, you simply can not legally practice medicine here.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Here is another "class" of email I receive regularly, from people who are vaguely interested in possibly moving to Panama but they really have not done enough homework yet: "I will be considering moving to the David, Panama area next year, and seeking information on what Telecommunication carriers are in the area. Landline or wireless. I have over 25 years in the telecom sector and currently working for Verizon Wireless in Phoenix, Arizona. I would need to get a job there and I wanted to ask if you could pass my resume around to you're many contacts and supply info on the in's and out's of getting established there. Thank You in advance." The basic answer is that it's relatively hard to get a job working for someone else here in Panama unless you're a Panamanian. Most people who need an income start a business and hire people. Panama loves it when you start up a business, and they also try to make sure Panamanians get the jobs first before foreigners. In any case, please feel free to add your comments below, and thanks.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

La Prensa - The national statistics could not be more flattering today, Labor Day in Panama - unemployment is down to 6.3% with all forecasts predicting that number will continue to fall. There less people working informally, with a 5% increase in the number of people hired to work in the industrial section and a growth of 12.8% in the number of people who are newly participating on the active rolls of Social Security. While numbers and statistics are cold, behind them there is a great number of workers who are responsible for the growth of Panama. The challenge now is to take this growth to new levels. (Photo Credit: La Prensa/David Mesa)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (93 words)

By Juan Limachi for La Critica - Popular organizations are asking Panama's government to increase the minimum wage to be better able to face rising costs of living. A wage increase will help the growth of the internal market and will contribute to the increase of the buying capacity of 67% of the young population, said Horacio Rivera yesterday, an investigator of the Institute of National Studies (IDEN.) "The ideal minimum wage should be established at $400 per month. Only with this amount is it possible for workers to satisfy their basic necessities," he said. According to Rivera, the present minimum wage has not been adjusted to the current reality of the high costs of life, and the people finds itself more and more "drowning" because they work only to be able to eat. (more)    Click Here To Read The Full Article (443 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Panama's Contraloría General de la República (General Comptroller of the Republic) reported the overall unemployment rate for Panama dropped from 8.7% in August 2006 to 7.3% in May 2007, down 1.4% in ten months. The highest rate of unemployment is in Colón at 11.4%. The Comptroller's office provided comprehensive detailed statistics in their recently released report which tracks unemployment rates among men and women, by age group, by provinces in the interior and sections of Panama City (such as the center of the city and San Miguelito), and breaks out indigenous populations and treats them separately. The lowest rate of unemployment in Panama? In the Darién at 1.5%, mostly because all of the people who live there are working either in their own small agriculture based business or as part of a co-op.

Copyright 2007 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. As usual, go ahead and use whatever you want as long as you credit the source. Salud.