Deja vu in Bocas del Toro as protesters close road
Workers affected by the events surrounding last year’s protests in Bocas del Toro against Panama’s Bill 30 closed the main road in Changuinola for six hours on Saturday with a big effect on local businesses.
By early afternoon they were joined by other supportive groups.
In the July 2010 riots four protesters inChanguinola were killed and hundreds injured, including blinding, from police lead shot. They were protesting against the provisions of the omnibus Bill 30 which had been rushed through the legislature, and was believed to affect workers’ rights.
The latest protests are because of lack of action by the government, promised by President Ricardo Martinelli during the aftermath of the police shootings.
According to Venancio Caballero president of Bocas del Toro Chamber of Commerce of Bocas del Torolocal businesses have seen a 25 percent drop in activity and he has called on the Government to “give adequate attention to workers in their demands” so that the latest protest actioncan be lifted.
He said the Government must appoint a commission to evaluate the situationbecause businesses cannot continue to recordthe losses they have been suffering.
"We still have traders who have not recovered from the riots that occurred in July last year."
The entry road to the village of Empalme and Changuinola, the commercial center of Bocas del Toro.
Jacinto Quintero, president of the Committee of People Affected by the Riots of July 8, saidthe protests will continue until the promises of President, Ricardo Martinelli, over allowances and pensions for the workers affected and the non-compliance Social Insurance Fundcontributions by employers.
By early afternoon workers' representatives from different groups moved to the area ofChanguinola River bridge to support the protesters.
Boca Governor Joseph Brown tried to talk to those keeping the road closed, but protestors said they needed to talk with Martinelli or the Minister of the Presidency, Jimmy Papadimitriu.
