Protests Continue in Panama Against Social Security Law
Street closures and rallies in different points of the Panamanian capital mark the days of protests against the bill 163 on the Social Security Fund (CSS).
Panama City February 18 of 2025: Deliberations on the law take place during a judicial process against 83 members of the National Union of Construction Workers Industry and Similar (Suntracs), who last Wednesday were arrested and charged by anti-riot units and were accused of instigating violence. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the provisional arrest was requested due to the seriousness of the crimes charged against the group accused of assaulting public servants, attacking collective security, economic patrimony, individual freedom and personal integrity, with some of those pictured below.
The general secretary of the Sindicato Único Nacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares (Suntracs) of Panama, Saúl Méndez, informed us Sunday that he denounced the Panama Government before the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the illegal persecution of workers and the violation of legal norms, in order that protestors may be charged and jailed. Saúl Méndez also accused the chief of the National Police, Jaime Fernandez, of allowing torture of the detainees, among them dozens of women. Earlier, Suntracs submitted to the International Labor Organization (ILO) a report on the course of the protests against a social security law. The explanation to the ILO was also signed by the secretary general of the National Confederation of Independent Trade Union Unity (Conusi), Marco Andrade. The document underlines that the detainees have received cruel treatment and that at the same time, the defense lawyers point out various obstacles in order for them to be able to provide their services.
