Mine workers are demanding continued contract talks

The Union of Mineworkers of Panama (Utramipa) as the majority organization of mining workers and holder of Collective convention 2023-2027made a decision to stop the debate on mining contract in the National Assemblya decision that was made after a series of public consultations that also reached the communities in the neighborhood of the mine Columbus and Coclé.

It’s shaking “strongly” rejected the action Assembly and demanded the continuation of discussions on the new contract as soon as possible for its approval, “which is essential to send a message of respect for legal certainty to the industry, and also not to continue with this situation of constant uncertainty in relation to the stability of our businesses.

“Sir President Laurentino Cortizo and Minister of Trade and Industry Federico Alfaro Boydwe require that you honor your authority and your word in relation to what has already been signed and arrange for an immediate return of the contract National Assembly in order to fulfill their constitutional function in terms of discussing and approving contracts,” reads the letter published on their social network.

The union, they say, will defend “to the end, on the streets, in the media, in the squares, in discussions…” 40 thousand families that depend on the mining industry.

The group’s response arose specifically from the suspension in the first debate of draft law 1043, which refers to the new contract between Minera Panamá and the Panamanian state, which foresees its return to Executive body.

For It’s shaking The stability of their jobs and the peace of their families were once again called into question.

“It seems that over the past five years, the People’s Government, through various government bodies, has insisted on bringing us into a situation of uncertainty and permanent anxiety: first by unnecessary closures during the pandemic, then by closing the ports in February/March 2023, and now by suspending discussions on a new contract from sides of the National Assembly…”, they expressed.

READ ALSO: Protest of relatives of mine workers

Last Thursday, September 28, the Parliamentary Committee on Commerce approved a resolution asking the executive branch to withdraw Bill 1043, which approves the concession agreement between the state and Sociedad Minera Panamá SA

Roberto Ábrego, the deputy president of this legislative body, emphasized that the aforementioned request was submitted based on a series of concerns expressed by the inhabitants of these areas, which require changes to the treaty, among which are points related to the concept and function of the expropriation of their lands, which is was one of the fundamentals in the debates. The second point related to the airspace, in the area where the mine works and the end user, in order to remove all controversies about sovereignty.