laundering probe hits 149 workers

THE FALLOUT   from the investigation  of alleged money laundering by the Waked family has hit 149 workers,  of La Riviera in Panama who have received pink slips.

All have been with the company for less than two years.

Minister of Labor Luis Ernesto Carles, who is part of the commission established by the government to deal with the  anticipated loss of jobs  in  Waked companies included on the Clinton list, made the announcement.

Carles said that 70 of the workers had received benefits owed to them. An account has been created at the National Bank of Panama to pay worker benefits.

Carles said that the ministry is working with the former employees to find them new positions.

He acknowledged that this will “take some time” but said  that the ministry is focused on the issue.

In Colombia the La Riviera stores have been seized by the government.

Carles  said the government is waiting for a decision by the United States to grant a license to Felix Maduro  and the newspapers El Siglo and La Estrella to allow them to continue to operate.

“If they are given the licenses, it changes everything because they have sustainability,” he said.

Felix, a chain of department stores, recently purchased by the Waked Group  has 1,400 workers, some of whom have been with the company for decades,  It has not made any layoffs and had met its payroll obligations. Payments to creditors were also met.