The Trade Union of Workers of Mass Transport of Panama (SITMAPA) started industrial action because the government failed to act on an arbitration panel ruling that the state-operated MiBus should pay workers for overtime owed since 2010 – a total of more than $2.8 million – by 31 October 2015. An additional $16 million has been estimated as workers’ redundancy payments when the company becomes a subsidiary of the new Metro Company. It is said that this money will come from the sale of stocks in Metro.
SITMAPA also reported that the government was trying to remove its general secretary, Antenor Guadamuz, and that Guadamuz and eight other workers were arrested on 9 November, simply for exercising their right to strike. The actions come as unions in Panama prepare for a national strike this month over the government’s anti-union activity.
In his letter to president Varela, Cotton said such action constituted a clear violation of ILO conventions on freedom of association and the right to strike, which Panama had ratified. Cotton described as “a very positive sign for a country with a bright future” Panama’s election to the UN Human Rights Council, and urged Varela to use his position to ensure that the freedom and rights of all Panama’s citizens are respected.
Cotton wrote: “Workers of MiBus have seen their labour rights violated since 2010. It is disturbing that, instead of fining the company responsible, the state prosecutes workers who are legally defending their rights.
“We therefore ask you to unconditionally respect freedom of association and your country’s laws. We demand that company representatives are sanctioned for failing to comply with the arbitration judgment and that you act against those who illegally detained these trade union representatives.”
Following a meeting held at the presidency, the government has indicated it would finally be able to pay the workers’ overtime by 23 December.
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