Panama: Unrealistic Demands From Construction Workers

Demands are for a reduction of hours to 40 per week but with pay for 45 hours and companies to take on transportation and food costs.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Construction workers are demanding a reduction of their working hours to 40 hours, but with payment corresponding to a 45 business hour week. They also want companies to assume the costs of food for employees, as well as transport and delivery of 5 uniforms twice a year.

Also " ... they are demanding that businesses pay their family eight months of subsidy at a cost of $6,400 , in the case of a worker dying for any reason."

The Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC) called for sanity among members of the Union of Construction Workers and Similar Companies (Suntracs). The demands "threaten the sustainable development of this industry, but mainly the economic ability of Panamanian families to own their own home."

The Capac indicates that " is willing to review and grant salary increases to their workers and to assess the non-wage economic clauses , that due to increased costs or inflationary reasons warrant upgrading to fair value these benefits."

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