Amid a growing wave of strikes in key sectors such as education, construction, and health, businessman Temístocles Rosas has expressed his concern about the negative impact these strikes are having on the Panamanian economy and society. Rosas, former president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), has pointed out that the interruption of work at the Social Security Fund (CSS) directly affects the insured, who are supposedly being defended by the protest movements.
"A situation affecting services is always negative. Every day lost in the classroom is a collective setback that impoverishes the already weakened Panamanian education," expressed Martínez. Unpyme warned that street closures do not affect high-ranking state officials, but rather small businesses that cannot operate, sell, or move, causing unsustainable daily losses. "The first red numbers come from micro and small enterprises, who are the first to suffer economically," he indicated.
In the midst of this scenario, the Association of Physicians, Dentists, and Related Professionals of the Social Security Fund (AMOACSS) has emerged, starting a work stoppage. This strike adds to the teachers' strike and the indefinite strike of Suntracs, generating a concerning situation for businesses.
Franklin L. Martínez F., president of the National Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unpyme), has expressed the productive sector's concern over the current national situation, reiterating the small business commitment to democracy, respect for institutions, and the construction of a prosperous and inclusive country. "Our commitment to the country is firm; we work every day to generate opportunities, boost the economy, and build a prosperous and inclusive Panama," he emphasized.
The guild has categorically rejected any attempt to break constitutional order and delegitimize the reform of the Social Security Fund Law, highlighting the importance of dialogue and social responsibility. Additionally, it urged teaching unions to return to the classrooms immediately and cease what they have labeled as "political activity."
In this context, a call has been made to authorities to ensure free transit throughout the country and prevent Panama from becoming a scenario of failed ideologies. Temístocles Rosas has warned about the paralysis of strategic construction projects that compromise the long-term sustainability of businesses, highlighting that reactivating a stalled project can take months to restart. In this sense, the call is to establish dialogue based on facts and not misinformation, prioritizing the generation of decent employment and building a favorable environment for the productive sector in Panama.
