Unachi Salaries that Defy Panama Pay Scales: Between Autonomy and Privilege
The Unachi crisis revealed how the lack of controls allowed salaries to grow above public sector standards.
As stated by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman: the average salary paid at the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Unachi) is the highest of all public universities in the country and exceeds, in some cases, between 60% and 70% the salaries granted in other state entities.
But how do these salaries compare with those at other public universities? Starting with the top authorities, the data reveals significant differences. According to records from the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai), the rector of Unachi, Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas, receives $14,729 per month in salary and representation expenses, exactly the same remuneration as the rector of the University of Panama, Eduardo Flores Castro.
