PANAMEÃ O LABOR CODE AND ITS APPLICATION TO WORK FOR THE EXPANSION L0S

Exhibitor Minister Reynaldo Rivera

CONTENT
The status of the Panama Canal Authority. Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
MITRADEL Modernization and Enlargement of the Canal.
The status of the Panama Canal Authority.
The Constitution of the Republic rule all aspects of the Panama Canal in Title X
IV. The Panama Canal Authority is subject to a special labor regime based on a m
erit system, which maintains at least the conditions and rights similar to those
existing on December 31, 1999. (Art.322)
The status of the Panama Canal Authority.
The status referred to in art. 322 of the Constitution, is developed in the orga
nic law of the ACP (Law 19 of June 11, 1997), Chapter V entitled "Personnel Mana
gement and Industrial Relations and only standard relations between the ACP and
its workers, namely those associated with the operation of the Canal.
Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
By Law 28 of July 17, 2006 approving the proposed expansion of the Canal and dir
ected to submit to referendum approval. The content should show that the canal e
xpansion work and the construction of the third set of locks will be made by out
sourcing work that is different from the proper operation of the Canal.
Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
The activities of these third parties, ie, national and international companies
to be responsible for the redevelopment of the Canal and the construction of the
third set of locks will be governed by the Labour Code and other provisions rel
ating to procurement work within the country.
Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
Consequently, labor relations extension of the Canal and the construction of the
third set of locks, governed inter alia, the following rules of individual char
acter:
Procurement systems work
Permanent contracts given time contracts for specific works contracts.
Workshop Working Overtime Hours and charges with their rest days. Holiday Bonus
Thirteenth months old
Rules also govern the collective.
Labour legislation and the expansion of the Canal.
The tasks that run the companies hired by PCA for the purpose of expansion and c
onstruction of the third set of locks are considered as the maintenance of the w
aterway. Consequently, the minimum wage to be paid in the work of the Canal Expa
nsion and construction of the third set of locks is B/.2.90 per hour, in accorda
nce with Decree 3 March 4, 1980, subject the provisions in contracts and collect
ive agreements between workers and contractors. This amount of minimum wage must
be paid by the contractor, subcontractor or any other figure that generates emp
loyment relationship.
Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
MITRADEL ensure compliance with international labor standards in the activities
of the Canal expansion and construction of the third set of locks. Standards tha
t are well established in the ILO Conventions of which Panama is a signatory, su
ch as: 29 105 87 98 100 111 138
182
Forced and compulsory labor Abolition of Forced Labour Freedom of association an
d protection of the right of association Right to Organise and Collective Bargai
ning Equal pay for men and women on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) M
inimum age for work, abolition of child labor on the worst forms child labor
Labour legislation and Canal Expansion
MITRADEL promote:
Decent work. Gender equality. The compliance for people with disabilities. The e
radication of child labor.
MITRADEL modernizing and expanding the Canal.
To cope with these tasks will carry MITRADEL:
The creation of a coordinating agency for all aspects of work related to the exp
ansion of the Canal. The technological innovation of processes and equipment (Ca
ll Centers, Public Employment Service, digitization of contracts, work permits a
nd others). The modernization of services for users (guidance, brokering and pla
cement, among others) Strengthening programs to accident prevention, inspection
and health, occupational and others.
MITRADEL modernizing and expanding the Canal.
The implementation of a new organic law focus on the promotion of social dialogu
e€tripartism, consultation, fairness and balance in industrial relations. The c
onsolidation of a highly qualified human resources in labor issues-oriented deve
lopment tools to achieve rapprochement between the supply and labor demand. The
transformation of MITRADEL website in order to provide quality information and s
ervices, both workers and employers, as investors interested in the labor aspect
s of canal expansion.
Thank you very much