Stalled strike talks cost $30 million daily
The impasse in negotiations between the striking construction workers’ union (Suntracs) and the employers’ Association (Capac) is- according to the business sector- costing the Panama economy $30 million a day as the stoppage of work on some 260 private and public projects heads towards a 10th day with little sign of progress in talks between the two sides.
Between 90,000 t and 140,000 construction workers have downed tools and.according to data from the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac), before the strike the workers were receiving approximately $3.2 million a day in wages.
On Wednesday, April 25 union members received their first strike pay from the fund created in 1996 and fed by a 1% deduction from each worker’s monthly pay packet.
They will receive $50 a week while the strike continues.
The money is being distributed manually because of what Suntracs General Secretary SaulMendez calls the “pettiness” of the employers who will not allow the distribution through the usual direct deposit platform.
apac recommended that member companies do not access the platform and that the union proceeded to make the payments it had scheduled for the workers, “in accordance with the means and facilities it has.”.
Meanwhile, the debate at the negotiating table between Suntracs and Capac about the collective agreement that will be in force between 2018 and 2021 has remained unchanged for two days.
Workers seek an annual increase of 11%, while employers have left on the proposal of 1% .
