Construction strike enters third week

Panama’s construction workers  strike, called by the Suntracs Union has entered its third week with little sign of an early end as some 90,000 members await a May 12 assembly called by  union leaders,

Work is paralyzed on 261 projects including Metro Line 3 and Tocumen International  Airport Terminal 2,  both needing completion in advance of World Youth Day in January 2019, which will attract scores of thousands of pilgrims to join Pope Francis.

On Wednesday 2 striking workers received their second $50 weekly strike pay

Suntracs general secretary Saúl Méndez of Suntracs, reported that in total there have been  13 days on strike (not counting Sundays) and that they will maintain the stoppage until they reach a pact with the members of the employers Construction  Chamber But he acknowledged little progress at the negotiating table.

Workers want a wage increase of 11% per year, while employers have offered one percent.

According to the projections of the business sector, the strike represents an impact on the general economy of at least $30 million a day.