The Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, through the Special Regional Labor Directorate of Minera Panamá, received on Monday, February 27, 2023 in the afternoon from the company Minera Panamá, SA, a request for suspension of the effects of the contracts of 4,051 workers based on article 199, numeral 8 of the Labor Code that refers to fortuitous events or force majeure, whose justification focuses on the suspension of activities of the Port of Punta Rincón, by the General Directorate of Ports and Maritime and Auxiliary Industries of the Panama Maritime Authority.
In December, the unions present at Minera Panamá presented two petitions, which are still pending to date.
They reiterated that article 441 of the Labor Code indicates that, during the processing and negotiation of the list of petitions, all dismissals and/or suspensions of the effects of employment contracts, must have prior judicial authorization, while the processing of said documents.
Consequently, the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, applying the provisions of the Labor Code, has proceeded to reject outright the request for suspension of the effects of employment contracts presented, thus fulfilling our mission to protect jobs of work and the correct application of labor regulations.
They reiterated that they maintain permanent communication and attention with the company’s workers.
