Panama’s Minister of Labor Confirms that there will be No Layoffs at the Port of Cristóbal

Amid the uncertainty surrounding the transition from one company to another at the Port of Cristóbal in the city of Colón, officials from the Ministry of Labor traveled to the Atlantic Coast to address the issue.  Upon arriving at the port facility, Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz stated that the goal is to ensure the safety of all workers and to speak directly with them to guarantee “due process and the protection of their years of service and job security.”  The minister was emphatic in clarifying that there will be no layoffs, as the president of the republic, José Raúl Mulino, stated from the beginning. 

He added that this meeting established the first link with the company that will be based in the port of Cristóbal, in the province of Colón.  When asked about operations at the port of Cristóbal, she said that at the moment there are no ships and that there is a decrease in operations, but this should not be interpreted as meaning that there are workers who have been laid off.  He added that the employer substitution is taking place, which means that the workers retain all their acquired rights and years of service. 

Queribel Adles, one of the port workers, during the visit from the Ministry of Labor (Mitradel), indicated that they had good communication with the minister regarding the transition from one company to another.  He indicated that there had been uncertainty among the port workers, but everything had been clarified and all years of seniority would be respected. “Everything remains the same.”  The worker explained that the Minister of Labor gave her word that all jobs would be maintained.  He also emphasized that they hope to continue working and that the workforce will be maintained.