There is growing use of the 'Vale Panamá' electronic cards as a means of compensation and bonuses payments to employees.
The main advantage of this mechanism is that the compensation paid by the company is exempt from labor costs, and can be used by employees in shops to buy food, medicine and other items.
Ana Lorena Broce, general manager of Vale Panama, reported that a lot of companies have migrated from the paper system to the electronic cards that are accepted at more than one thousand outlets.
Costa Rican government employees earn up to 50% more than their peers in the private sector, and they have announced marches and strikes because they want to earn even more.
EDITORIAL
In Costa Rica, a country of 4.5 million inhabitants of which 20% live in poverty, there are 1,600 government officials whose monthly salaries are over $10,000, some reaching up to $70,000 a month.
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.
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.
When vacancies arise companies fill them paying the new employee less than before, and give them even more demanding requirements.
A Manpower study outlined in an article in Prensalibre.com notes that in Guatemala "requirements are increased when new staff are hired, however the wages offered are not in line with the international market.
For example, one company had a manager with a profile matching a salary of up to $3,138, this person resigned and his place was taken by a underling who had a salary of $1,255 and who, after the change in position, was offered $1,632. This person got a better opportunity and resigned, shortly after which the company attempted to hire a new manager with the requirements of the first but with the salary of the second.
Feedback to employees should contain both praise and criticism.
In his discussion in an article in Martesfinanciero.com, Ernesto Bazan notes the importance of the art of the sandwich, when talking with employees about their performance evaluation.
Bazan highlights the sandwich technique as being "... a valuable management tool. Its effectiveness has been proven.
The Industrial Union of Panama will not accept the proposal made by President Martin Torrijos to grant a bonus to employees.
The Union's General Assembly pointed out that what is need at this time are solutions "for the various structural problems that are affecting us negatively and preventing us from being more productive and competitive, and that will help to improve the purchasing power and well-being of all Panamanians."
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