Panama importing Honduran labor for Canal expansion

An agreement is being worked on between the Ministries of Labor in Honduras and Panama to allow the entry of four thousand specialist construction workers.

Once the agreement has been firmed up, Honduran workers (project managers, carpenters, joiners, etc.) will be able to work on the widening of the Panama Canal reports Central American Data Express.

 Carlos Montes, Honduras Deputy Labor Minister said “Panama needs the labor force … Construction is a sector that is rebounding in Panama. 25,000 workers are needed in this area. If the agreement is signed between the two ministries, unemployed people will be able to join the productive sector abroad, earning dollars. That will help narrow the unemployment gap in San Pedro [Honduras]”
The initiative was welcomed by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Honduran Chamber of the Construction Industry.