The Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) conducted night raids in restaurants located in San Francisco, Avenida Balboa, Casco Antiguo, and Avenida Central in Panama City to verify compliance with labor regulations. During the operation, seven foreign citizens were found working without a work permit. This violates the current laws governing an orderly labor market. Among the violators were men from Venezuela, Colombia, and Nicaragua, as well as women from Colombia and Nicaragua. Mitradel emphasized that according to Article 17 of the Labor Code, there is a established quota: for every ten national workers, only one foreigner is allowed to be hired. This norm is fundamental for the protection of the local labor force. During the inspection, it was also confirmed that all seven individuals were performing functions without the required work permit, an essential document that guarantees fair rules for both employers and the workforce in the country. As a result of these findings, the Judicial Secretariat of Mitradel proceeded to issue three provisions for non-compliance with the labor regime. This administrative step initiates the formal process for the application of the corresponding economic and legal sanctions. The operations not only have a supervisory nature but also an educational function aimed at employers to strengthen respect for the law. With these measures, the National Government seeks to advance towards a model of decent and sustainable employment, ensuring that all foreign hiring is carried out under the protection of a legal work permit, thus promoting responsible labor coexistence and the strict fulfillment of workers' rights.
