Panama Banana Workers Demand Action from National Assembly

Bocas del Toro Banana Workers Voice Concerns to Panamanian Assembly Banana workers from Bocas del Toro, Panama, met with leaders from the National Assembly on June 11, 2025, to discuss concerns about proposed changes to the Social Security law. The meeting, which lasted several hours, was also prompted by the recent closure of the Chiquita Brands banana plantation, leading to widespread unemployment. TVN Noticias provided live coverage of the event. Javier Sucre, head of the PRD party's legislative bloc, stated, "We, as the PRD and the legislative bloc, were ready to participate in this meeting. Our commitment is to ensure that the law is passed with their agreement, provided they agree. They've expressed this in the meeting's progress since 11 a.m." The workers' concerns centered on job security and the potential negative impact of the proposed changes to their social security benefits. The meeting concluded with a pledge from the Assembly members to consider the workers' concerns carefully. This event underscores the importance of dialogue between the government and labor unions in addressing economic challenges and protecting the rights of workers.