The board of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede) met with the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, to express their support for the new law of the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the management of important issues for the country. The president of Apede, Giulia De Sanctis, stated that Law 462 of the CSS was approved consensually, which is fundamental for democracy. De Sanctis emphasized that they are working to inform how the law works in various spaces to counteract false information.
Apede supported the decision not to discuss the issue again in a dialogue table, arguing that the union groups behind the protests have their own interests. Other issues were also addressed during the meeting, such as the copper mine and a cooperation agreement with the United States. The Panamanian president clarified that he has not had meetings with representatives of the mining company and that there is no agreed-upon document regarding the copper mine.
The association highlighted the importance of auditing the mine to resolve doubts and expressed that, although there is discontent among the population, they recognize the relevance of the project for the local and global economy. De Sanctis emphasized the importance of reinstating the notion of the common good, pointing to the Río Indio project as an example where the collective interest of the country should be prioritized. The Ministers of Labor and Labor Development, Health, Education, and the chancellor were present at the meeting.
In conclusion, Apede showed its support for Law 462 of the CSS and highlighted the importance of democracy based on rights and duties, promoting proposals to strengthen the system.
