10 Foreigners Arrested in Panama Without Work Permits and During Working Hours!
It was a surprise operation by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development known as Mitradel.
A total of 10 foreigners were detected working without the corresponding work permits during operations carried out by Mitradel in the provinces of Chiriquí and Colón. The actions were carried out by the National Inspection Directorate, together with the Regional Directorates of Mitradel in both provinces, in coordination with the National Immigration Service. In response to these irregularities, Ministry of Labor officials imposed the corresponding administrative sanctions on the responsible employers, in accordance with the Labor Code.
So far in 2025, 26 foreigners have been detected working without the proper permits in the province of Chiriquí alone; five of them were identified during a recent operation. During inspections at various establishments, authorities requested key documentation such as employment contracts, payroll, operating notices, and work permits from foreign employees. These actions seek to ensure that economic activities, especially in the commercial and construction sectors, are carried out within the current legal framework. Among the most frequently found nationalities were people of Venezuelan, Colombian, Chinese, Dominican, and Costa Rican origin.
