Dock unions denounce layoffs 400 employees in PPC

Dockworkers denounced, in a press conference that the company Panama Ports Company (PPC) dismissed about 400 workers from Friday 5 February to date, in violation of the Labor Code.
 
Ulises Arroyo explains, the Defense Secretary of Industrial Union of Transport and Allied Waterways Panama (Sitravaap), PPC had no regard for workers with more than 18 years of service, with union leaders, disability, with injuries or with pregnant women.

They clarified that according to the labor law, Panama Ports Company can not do layoffs and proceeded as they first had to be approved by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel).

That is why the workers consider that the dismissals were unjustified and forced through a mutual agreement, which they refused to sign.

The leadership of the (Sitravaap) ensures the company cordoned off the port with internal security, preventing access of workers.

However, the general manager of Panama Ports Company, Aitor Ibarreche told for months that are making restructuring in the company.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the dismissed workers, Santiago Ramos, the word "restructuring" is not nothing but to hide and continue outsourcing.

"This is a violation of human rights, labor, international agreements and why we call the Mitradel Minister and President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela, to intervene in this issue," he said.

However, Ibarreche noted that differ with the amount of the dismissed workers, as reported union workers.

Workers had a meeting yesterday with the Secretary General of Mitradel , Samuel Rivera , where he promised calling for the company to reinstate the workers , because they are against unfair dismissal.

Not to be the employment of laid-off workers , they carry out actions such as vigils , submit the case to the Ombudsman and to the International Labour Organization ( ILO).

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Empresa

• Panama Ports Company es una empresa filial de Hutchison Port Hold que opera en Panamá a

• través de una concesión por 25 años prorrogable, otorgada por el Estado.

• Posee dos puertos en ambas salidas del Canal de Panamá, el puerto de Balboa localizado en la salida del Canal de Panamá sobre

• el océano Pacífico y el puerto de Cristóbal, localizado en la salida del Canal de Panamá sobre el océano Atlántico.

• PPC sirve como centro de distribución para las rutas comerciales del Atlántico y del

• Pacífico, los puertos están equipados para el manejo de contenedores, carga general y barcos de pasajeros.

• Según los trabajadores, PPC en 18 años de presencia en el país ha pagado al Estado un millón de dólares en concepto de impuestos.