The unions of agricultural producers, agro-industries and related organizations assure that they are still not being listened to by the government, for which they reiterated to the Archbishop of Panama, Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa, to the team facilitating the dialogue and to government authorities, that despite insisting on that these organizations are incorporated continue without legitimate representation at the dialogue table.
They assured, through a statement, that discussing issues that directly impact their activity without them being present borders on irresponsibility and disrespect. They denounced that they have been prohibited from entering the table.
“History has shown that the “Price Control” measures that have been implemented did not work and what they generate is the appearance of the black market, a drop in production, product shortages, an increase in prices for most of the inhabitants of the country, loss of jobs, extreme poverty and food rationing, especially impacting the most vulnerable population”, they highlighted.
In your opinion, the cost of living cannot be regulated by decree, much less in a country that does not produce all the goods it needs. In addition, the food produced in the country requires imported raw materials and inputs, whose international prices are not controlled by any company, institution or ministry in the country.
“Any measure that is taken to exercise price control over food will end up affecting the productive sector, which generates approximately 400,000 direct jobs, 143,000 from industrial companies and all consumers in Panama,” they said when urgently demanding that they be allowed the following points:
1. Representation at the Dialogue Table
2. Do not Consensus Points Without Our Participation
3. Not Imposing a Price Control Measure on Domestically Produced Food
4. Opening of highways and free transit, as dictated by Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
5. Security For Society
6. Stability in Food Security in Panama
