3,000 canal expansion workers on strike

SOME 3,000 workers on the expansion of the Panama Canal  walked off the job on Monday April 8, for non-payment of  the 13th month bonus by contractor Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC).

The strike has the support of construction workers union Suntracs.

Andy Rey, who works as a mason, reported that the company has also failed to pay social security. He was also critical of the fact that the contractor has paid bonuses to foreign workers but not to Panamanians.

Suntracs leader David Niño said that GUPC has not made any attempt to meet with the workers. The contractor declined to comment about the situation.