Labor Ministry practicing political persecution say critics

A GROWING number of voices are being heard on air and through social networks supporting the view that recent fines imposed on Varela Hermanos, S.A, are politically motivated.

The critics include  a prominent business executive group, and civil orgabizations.

Luis José Varela, Jr. speaking on behalf of the company, said Thursday, February 13 that the fines imposed on the business by the Ministry of Labor should be considered political persecution.

“There is evidence that this is a political case," he said, referring to the fact that Juan Carlos Varela is an opposition presidential candidate.
He said the company plans to fight the charges that it failed to pay its workers minimum wage and is hopeful that the case can contribute to "a climate of judicial security."
The ministry ordered the company to pay 220 workers a total of $102,000 and fines of $107,500.
The company's workers have also criticized the ministry, calling the decision an "unfair political persecution against a company that we are proud to be a part of."
On Wednesday the workers took out full page advertisements in local print media. Attacking the Ministry.
Varela was critical of the government for using state agencies to attack private businesses, while at the same time promoting Panama to the international community as a safe place to invest.
The ministry has denied the claims that the fines were politically motivated.
"This is not about politics, it is about social security," it said.