Juan Carlos Arosemena, president of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) referred to the bloated payrolls and the need to reduce them for austerity.
“These forms are all over the government and there was supposedly a deputy in charge”
Arosemena explained that most of the employees were paid at least 600 euros for doing nothing and it was better to give them a bonus or seed capital so they could start their own business.
Regarding financial aid, he said that it has been given by previous administrations, but should have been given to people who really needed it. “Giving financial aid to people who have a high income, for me, is absurd.”
Regarding the Minera Panamá issue, Arosemena indicated that it is far from being closed and he sees President Mulino’s words at last week’s conference as a negotiating tactic.