In Panama, a lawyer has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new internship law. The law stipulates that internships will last a maximum of one year, be voluntary, and do not constitute formal employment relationships. Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of $450 and be covered by a private professional risk insurance policy, which must be contracted by the participating company. However, the lawyer, Martita Cornejo de Robles, representing Deputy Alexandra Brenes, argues that the law violates constitutional norms. She claims that Articles 7, 8, and 9 of the law contradict Article 64 of the Constitution, which guarantees social security, and Article 63, which establishes the minimum wage. The lawsuit alleges that the law allows companies to replace existing employees with interns, paying them below the minimum wage, and does not cover them under social security. Furthermore, the plaintiff argues that the law violates Article 70 of the Constitution by not providing for overtime pay for interns. The Supreme Court of Justice of Panama must now respond to the constitutionality petition regarding Law 513, which was published in the Official Gazette on March 20.
