Foreigners could occupy 52% of new jobs created

Great concern exists in the country due to the lack of skilled labor and the need to bring foreigners to hold certain jobs, according to experts in labor issues.

From August 2014 to August 2015, the employed population increased to 38,490, according to the Comptroller General, however, more than 20,000 work permits were give to foreigners.

Experts say that this approval of labor to foreign licenses represent 52% of new jobs created, exceeding forecasts made by Nathan Associates to the ACP (May 2012) figure in its Final Report of the Economic Impact of Canal Expansion .

According to René Quevedo, a specialist in labor issues, the report argued that between 28% and 45% of the new jobs to be generated by the Panamanian economy between 2013 and 2025 require the importation of labor.

"The gap will continue unless measures are taken to improve the relevance of education, ie, that it will generate the skills needed by the labor sector," he said.

He stressed that the unions are quite concerned, particularly the Private Sector Council for Educational Assistance (COSPAE).

"Unfortunately, young people are the most affected, and while our education continues divorced from labor situation in the country, the situation will not improve," he said.

About what to do to solve this problem, Quevedo noted that technical training should be promoted among young people.

"Nine out of 10 young people and eight out of 10 of their family members have little or no information about it, according to the study Perceptions of Youth and Family on Technical Training, conducted by the National Competitiveness Center ( CNC) for COSPAE, NEO Project management entity (IDB youth employment), "he said.

In this situation, the Labour Minister Luis Ernesto Carles said the foreigner can come to the country to develop some of the occupations and professions that the law allows, but they have to be regulated.

He said that what is sought is that migrant workers who comply with the law are formalized, as a country not having informal migrant workers earn, because it loses the treasury, private enterprise and the worker.

He said that in the next nine years 320 000 jobs will be created and is already defined where the talent deficit, so that 64% of technicians will be required.

Agrees that further guidance should be given to young people who study high schools for choosing a college.

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Empresarios están preocupados ante la falta de mano de obra capacitada en el país, sin embargo, indican que las empresas deben seguir produciendo.

Expertos sostienen que se debe orientar a los jóvenes para que al momento de elegir una profesión, se inclinen por aquellas técnicas que demanda el mercado laboral.