Alicia Jiménez, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the Republic of Panama (Fedecámaras), emphasized the need to implement policies that promote formality in businesses and help people obtain stable jobs. Jiménez warned that a new shutdown in the country due to protests would lead to bankruptcy of businesses and an uncontrollable increase in unemployment.
Amid threats of protests and road closures by social organizations in response to possible reforms in the Social Security Fund, Jiménez highlighted the importance of addressing the growth of informal labor, considering it one of the greatest challenges for the country. She stressed the urgency of reaching a consensus and presenting a draft law to the Assembly on November 6.
Regarding the budget proposed by the government, Jiménez underscored the importance of allocating resources rationally towards areas that drive growth and social welfare. She insisted that it is crucial for all stakeholders involved to act responsibly and with vision to ensure the economic future of the country.
Jiménez highlighted the need for effective collaboration between the private sector, the labor sector, and the government to curb the growth of informal employment. She warned that if effective measures are not taken, the sustainability of the Social Security Fund would be compromised.
The proposal to increase the retirement age has become one of the critical issues on the current agenda. Jiménez called on those responsible for economic policy to prioritize measures that curb informal employment and to comprehensively consider a series of reforms. She indicated that, while adjusting the retirement age may be part of the solution, it must be analyzed carefully, as she believes it is necessary to address labor precariousness and promote the creation of formal jobs alongside other policies.
