Three unions abandon the dialogue of economic reactivation
The National Confederation of Independent Trade Union Unity (Conusi), Casa Sindical and the Unified Confederation of Workers of Panama (CUTP) decided to rise from the Tripartite Table of Dialogue for the Economy and Labor Development in which they participated from May 1, 2020 .
The Conusi made its departure public this Thursday, June 25, after formalizing the delivery of a letter before the dialogue table, just as the other two labor movements did since last week and the beginning of this, according sources linked to the process.
There are five unions left representing the workers at the dialogue table, which just this week must reach a consensus on the measures that they will propose to the Executive for the reactivation of the economy as a result of its paralysis due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The Conusi indicated that it abandons the dialogue because the Government did not listen to its proposals, unilateral decisions have been taken and warn that the business sector has not shown a real willingness to propose, discuss and agree on measures that respect the Labor Code and that prevent the weight of the crisis will continue to fall on the backs of the workers.
One of the workers' proposals was to provide a solidarity bonus of $ 500 per month to informal and unemployed workers. In exchange, the Government decided to grant a voucher that does not cover the cost of the food basket and that does not reach everyone, said Conusi.
The Government faces strong budgetary pressures in the face of the lack of income and the financial needs marked by the pandemic.
The departure of the three guilds does not stop the dialogue. The National Central of Workers of Panama, the General Central of Workers of Panama, the Union Convergence, the General Union of Workers and the Confederation of Workers of the Republic of Panama are still sitting at the table.
The difference between unions, employers and the Ministry of Labor (as mediator) focuses on three key points: the implications generated by the modification of working hours, the extension of the suspension of labor contracts raised by the business sector and the subsidies or support from companies and the government that workers demand.
In May, the workers' representatives had threatened to abandon the dialogue process, alleging that the Government was taking "unilateral" decisions on measures that were precisely being discussed at the table.
In the letter sent by Conusi to the tripartite table, signed by his secretary Genero López, noted that at the moment dismissals are being managed under mutual agreement, pressure is being applied to the application of collective agreements and there have been liquidated many workers who were sent home without a penny, thanks to Decree No. 81 issued by the Government.
In this situation we can not but denounce the country for the lack of political commitment and willingness on the part of the National Government, in the adoption of measures in favor of workers, whom they already threaten when they express that, regardless of the results to that the Dialogue Table is reached, the Executive will try to impose the measures that favor the business class, said the letter.
There are five unions left representing the workers at the dialogue table, which just this week must reach a consensus on the measures that they will propose to the Executive for the reactivation of the economy as a result of its paralysis due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The Conusi indicated that it abandons the dialogue because the Government did not listen to its proposals, unilateral decisions have been taken and warn that the business sector has not shown a real willingness to propose, discuss and agree on measures that respect the Labor Code and that prevent the weight of the crisis will continue to fall on the backs of the workers.
One of the workers' proposals was to provide a solidarity bonus of $ 500 per month to informal and unemployed workers. In exchange, the Government decided to grant a voucher that does not cover the cost of the food basket and that does not reach everyone, said Conusi.
The Government faces strong budgetary pressures in the face of the lack of income and the financial needs marked by the pandemic.
The departure of the three guilds does not stop the dialogue. The National Central of Workers of Panama, the General Central of Workers of Panama, the Union Convergence, the General Union of Workers and the Confederation of Workers of the Republic of Panama are still sitting at the table.
The difference between unions, employers and the Ministry of Labor (as mediator) focuses on three key points: the implications generated by the modification of working hours, the extension of the suspension of labor contracts raised by the business sector and the subsidies or support from companies and the government that workers demand.
In May, the workers' representatives had threatened to abandon the dialogue process, alleging that the Government was taking "unilateral" decisions on measures that were precisely being discussed at the table.
In the letter sent by Conusi to the tripartite table, signed by his secretary Genero López, noted that at the moment dismissals are being managed under mutual agreement, pressure is being applied to the application of collective agreements and there have been liquidated many workers who were sent home without a penny, thanks to Decree No. 81 issued by the Government.
In this situation we can not but denounce the country for the lack of political commitment and willingness on the part of the National Government, in the adoption of measures in favor of workers, whom they already threaten when they express that, regardless of the results to that the Dialogue Table is reached, the Executive will try to impose the measures that favor the business class, said the letter.