Another obstacle to U.S. Panama FTA

Reports of heavy handed action against government employees in Panama have helped contribute to one more bump on the road leading to ratificatiion of  the Panama-US free trade agreement (FTA).

The agreement has been floating around since it was drafted in 2007, and blockage of its path in the United States  have included allegations of labor violations raised by Democrat legislators and U.S, unions  and political tensions between Washington and the government of President Ricardo Martinelli.

Now, Panamanian unions are seeking a hearing before the U.S. Congress to asking for the agreement be rejected.

 Labor leader Mariano Mena said that the unions are seeking that action because of abuses committed by the government of Panama against trade unions and associations of employees in the public sector.

He said the request is being processed by the AFL-CIO, which performs lobbying actions on behalf of labor organizations.

A day after publicly threatening a La Prensa journalist, Minister of Labor Alma Cortés shrugged off the  union allegations on Wednesday, June 22, and claimed rights were respected.

But Alfredo Berrocal, leader of the National Federation of Public Servants, has recently accused the government of gross violations of the rights of public sector employees, including acts of repression and unjustified dismissals.