Chiquita releases thousands: strike chaos in Panama escalated!

Chiquita releases thousands: strike chaos in Panama escalated!

Changuinola, Panama - chiquita has announced that it will relieve thousands of employees in Panama, which is a direct consequence of months of strikes. These strikes, which have been going on since April 24, have been organized by various unions and are directed against a controversial pension reform. The company reported that the economic losses due to the relocation are now at least $ 75 million, the equivalent of 66 million euros. Around 4,900 employees without a fixed contract are affected by the dismissal, while Chiquita employs a total of around 7,000 people in Panama, such as vienna.at.

The strikers not only call for changes to the pension reform, but also call on other professional groups for solidarity. Teachers, indigenous groups and construction workers join the protests. Another central point of the protests is a safety agreement between Panama and the USA, which is intended to enable increased US military presence on the Panama Canal. The situation most recently escalated in the province of Bocas del Toro, where there were violent clashes between security forces and striking workers, as Germany radio.

violence and escalation of the protests

The protests in Panama have now become a serious conflict. According to reports, there were burning barricades in Changuinola, ignited shops and cars as well as attacks at police stations. At least two workers were shot during the clashes, and over 300 people, including police officers, were injured. In addition, over 100 strikes were arrested in the argument and there is a nightly lock. The strikers also call for the withdrawal of a new neoliberal labor law, which was passed under the government of President Ricardo Martinelli, which further restricts the rights of workers. Despite the violent clashes, several tens of thousands of people were waiting for their rights to fight for their rights and demanding higher wages as well as overtime tariffs, according to the taz.

President Martinelli, who has been in office since May 2022, tries to trivialize the protests as "foreigners and oppositional". The reforms that his government has enforced allow companies to relieve strikers and replace them with new workers, which further fueled the anger among the workers. While the government is increasingly using the police to contain the unrest, the workers are determined to fight for their demands, including the withdrawal of the new laws and fair remuneration.