A discussion on the minimum wage for 2025 has begun in Panama. On one side, business leaders are calling for caution to avoid pushing companies to the brink of bankruptcy and workers into the informal sector. On the other side, labor unions are insisting on a decent and fair minimum wage that covers the cost of the basic consumer basket. The president of the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO), Aniano Pinzón Real, reminded that according to his organization's calculations, the cost of a 'healthy basket' for a family is around $1,800 per month. He argued that this means with two working family members, the minimum wage should be around $900. Meanwhile, the president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), Gabriel Diez, emphasized that many Panamanians don't make it to the end of the month, and neither do many companies. He advocates for a gradual approach to bringing the minimum wage closer to the real cost of living, but without destructive consequences for employment. CONATO's key demands include setting a minimum wage that covers the full consumer basket, equalizing salary rights between the public and private sectors, simplifying tax rates, and creating a unified national wage policy. Both sides have agreed on the need for active listening to reach a consensus and build a common good.
