An extraordinary migratory regularization process, called " Panamá, Crisol de Razas” (Panama, the Melting Pot) will be reactivated from 3 to October 7, 2011.
The country has large numbers of foreigners with irregular migratory status, and this will be the seventh time that this process has been activated The process aims to grant residence permits to foreigners who have been in the country for a year or longer, for which they must show entry stamps from when they came to the country.
"If a person with 20 years of education emigrates and another person, with 12 years of education immigrates, the country has suffered a net loss of 8 years of investment in training."
The retention of human capital and recruitment of highly qualified human resources from other countries is of vital importance to nations.
Human resource mobility is increasing, and although this increases the productivity of the global economy it also means significant gains or losses in particular countries, according to the direction of migratory flow.
President Martinelli has announced his intention to unite the two institutions.
In order to aid the fight against drug trafficking and smuggling, the Panamanian government plans to convert the Customs and Immigration agencies into one unit.
The article quotes the President Prensa.com Martinelli: "We need to adapt our laws and change our regulations so that Customs and Immigration can work together as one entity reporting to the Minister of Security. "
A new law will enable companies to request an exception allowing them hire foreigners when necessary.
Though Panama's Employment Code allows companies to employ up to 10% of their workforce with foreign workers, employers may now increase this percentage, provided they can demonstrate that it is necessary.
Companies that are finding it difficult to hire local people for certain posts should contact the Ministry for Employment ("el Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral" in Spanish) asking for an exception allowing to increase the percentage of foreign employees in their workforce.
The number of professionals working abroad jumped 78% in 2010 when compared to 2009.
According to data from the 2010 remittances survey, published by the International Migration Organization, 7.273 Guatemalan professionals are working abroad, a 78% increase versus the 4.078 registered in 2009. Additionally, there are 9.303 workers with uncompleted college studies.
More and more foreigners settle in Panama, requiring a wide range of different services.
According to preliminary data from 2010, more than 12.000 work permits were given to foreigners, including executives of multinational companies or those coming from other places in search of better opportunities.
Angel López Guía, from Martesfinanciero.com, details various procedures, services and decisions which must be made by newcomers, from the opening of bank accounts to buying a home.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras will share information on migration between their territories.
El Salvador´s Director of Immigration, Ruben Alvarado, consulted by Reuters, referred to the issue, "….the exchange of information was agreed on migration of people who have been denied visas or residence, deportation or expulsion, and who have submitted fraudulent or altered documents those as well as those who have arrest warrants."
Foreigners who have been in the country for more than two years will be able to legalise their status, subject to paying relevant fees.
The process, called “Panama, Crisol de Razas" (Melting Pot) will begin on 16 July in Atlapa and continue for four months, indicated the director of the country’s Immigration Service (SNM), María Cristina González.
“It will begin in the capital and in San Miguelito before spreading to other parts of the country”, reports Pa-digital.com.pa.
The Panamanian president announced they will explore the possibility of letting Panamanians and Costa Ricans cross their respective borders without the need for passports.
Ricardo Martinelli made these statements after holding a meeting with Costa Rican president-elect Laura Chinchilla.
“Martinelli commented that in the meeting they also discussed common topics such as border security, exchange of information to combat drug trafficking and tourism plans”.
A number of changes were introduced to improve how migratory flows are managed, and decrease their pressure on the public health system.
Law 8764 of Migration and Foreign Citizens, in effect since March 1st, 2010, requires all foreign citizens residing in Costa Rica to be registered at the Costa Rican Social Insurance Institute (CCSS). This measure would add 150.000 contributors to the social security system.
With the inauguration of a new consulate in Arrigas, Chiapas, El Salvador now has 5 in Mexico.
This consulate will also serve Guatemalan citizens, through a reciprocal agreement between Guatemala and El Salvador.
“It will be the first to feature a Guatemalan migration officer. Such collaboration was arranged in an agreement signed by both countries providing reciprocal assistance for Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants”.
In Central America Costa Rica is at the top (with 54 in overall ranking), followed by Panama (60), El Salvador (106), Honduras (112), Guatemala (122), and Nicaragua (124).
"This report breaks new ground in applying a human development approach to the study of migration. It discusses who migrants are, where they come from and go to, and why they move. It looks at the multiple impacts of migration for all who are affected by it–not just those who move, but also those who stay."
In Central America Costa Rica is at the top (with 54 in overall ranking), followed by Panama (60), El Salvador (106), Honduras (112), Guatemala (122), and Nicaragua (124).
"This report breaks new ground in applying a human development approach to the study of migration. It discusses who migrants are, where they come from and go to, and why they move. It looks at the multiple impacts of migration for all who are affected by it–not just those who move, but also those who stay."
Panama's migratory flexible regulation is a key factor for attracting multinational companies.
For General Electric (GE), the main motivation for moving its regional corporate headquarters from Costa Rica to Panama was not fiscal incentives, but flexibility in migration regulations.
For a global company, it is indispensable to be able to temporary employ foreign staff, and for Ricaurte Vásquez, GE president & CEO for Central America and the Caribbean, this is more important than tax benefits.
Venezuelan deposits at Panamanian banks summed $1.4 billion in April 2009.
When compared to the same period of 2008, deposits increased in almost $100 million, according to data from the Banking Superintendence.
"The Venezuelan community is estimated at 65.000 in Panama, and participates in diverse productive activities, mostly in transportation, restaurants, hotels, bars and services", reported Prensa.com.