Strikes and road closures in Bocas del Toro have set aside reforms to the Social Security Fund (CSS) to focus on Law No. 45 and health care for more than 7,000 banana treesdemands that, according to the Deputy Minister of Health, Manuel Zambrano, are being used by “leftist groups” to manipulate them, causing the repeal of the norm No. 462.
Zambrano mentions that what is approved in the National Assembly is the product of the multiple citizen consultations made for more than a month and opinions of the deputies, and although it is not exactly what the Executive sent, it was sanctioned because it received the endorsement of the majority, therefore, those who ask for their elimination are requesting that a democratic decision be unknown.
“Really the problem of Bocas del Toro are some inconsistencies with the Law No. 45; However, they are used by left groups with other intentions to manipulate them, ”he said.
The Deputy Minister of Health reiterated that the Government is willing to dialogue with the workers to find a solution with the objective of returning to their jobs before what happened in Puerto Armuelles, Chiriquí province, after the departure of the Bananera company.
Yesterday, Tuesday, it was known that President José Raúl Mulino and the Banks of Banks of the National Assembly agreed to modify the banana law through a new special project.
The initiative will be presented to the legislative body during the period of extraordinary sessions which culminates on June 12, and will include everything agreed among the ministers and representatives of the Bananera Industry Workers Union (Sitraibana).
After the meeting, Janine Prado, head of the independent bench, expressed concern about the possible loss of more than 4,000 jobs and Social discontent in other provinces of the country.
The deputy also reiterated that having the unique text of Law No. 462 will allow the document to be evaluated comprehensively and analyze the possible modifications requested by citizens.
According to the Executive, the petitions of the banana trees are based on guaranteeing the services of care for pregnant workers and women, so, a immediate solution plan which will begin with the opening of clinical files to continue laboratory exams.
Chiquita Panama company informed the authorities that 4,500 banana trees have abandoned their jobs, Therefore, they presented the corresponding legal actions that resulted in the declaration of illegality of the strike.
