Panama's Labor Minister comments on the Suntracs union situation

Minister of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) Jackeline Muñoz stated that the process of dissolving the Suntracs union is in the hands of the judicial branch. Muñoz added that the new board of directors of Suntracs does not meet the requirements of the labor code and has not taken steps to obtain certification and make the necessary corrections. "The idea is for Suntracs to learn to report correctly and to follow the procedures like any other union," Muñoz noted. Since the Secretary General of Suntracs, Saúl Méndez, is currently in hiding, Muñoz pointed out that the Sub-secretary of that union needs a permit to exercise his duties. The minister also emphasized that "within the current collective agreement between the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) - Suntracs, they must comply with these requirements." The new board of directors of the Single National Union of Workers of the Construction Industry and Similar does not meet the requirements of the labor code, which could be a determining factor for Suntracs and Capac not to move forward in negotiations for a new collective agreement. Furthermore, the minister explained that collective bargaining can take two paths: direct or by presenting claims before Mitradel, but, according to Muñoz, "that is up to the will of the parties, and the ministry cannot intervene in that." "That process is in the Judicial Branch, we have been responsible for not taking any action within the ministry but for justice to take action on a claim that we have as a ministry," she concluded.