Minister Jackeline Muñoz announced the suspension of new work permits for foreign personnel in the Fourth Bridge project.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (Mitradel) will impose sanctions on the Panama Cuarto Puente Consortium (CPCP), and its subsidiary, on which it also imposed a period of 10 days to correct the treatment described as “inhumane” in which they maintain Panamanian workers, Minister Jackeline Muñoz reported this Friday, April 17.
After an inspection that he described as “affecting” and “regrettable,” Muñoz reiterated that he found irregularities and a marked system of labor segregation in the works of the Fourth Bridge over the Canal, for which he ordered sanctions and an immediate block to the hiring of more foreign personnel.
Sanctions underway
He explained that the deadline was granted by law to the main company and the subcontractor, to correct the deficiencies, but clarified that the sanctioning process is already in the Judicial Secretariat of the institution.
“There is no room to wait,” Muñoz warned. He indicated that he could not provide details of the sanctions, for the moment, but reiterated that “the sanction will be given.”
Likewise, he announced that Mitradel will maintain a nighttime presence in the project to monitor the extraordinary shifts, after detecting that at night the percentage of foreigners increases considerably.
During the tour, Muñoz said it was evident that there was a high percentage of Asian workers. They detected 43 foreign workers, of which 37 were in an irregular condition.
He denounced an unacceptable division among the workforce: while Asian workers had containers equipped with air conditioning and armchairs, Panamanians were relegated to “riveted dining rooms” in corners of the project or under containers.
“It was deplorable to see how they have Panamanian workers in one corner and Asian workers in another well cared for. Here there are no categories; the Panamanian worker is respected,” emphasized the minister, who explained that the ministry even had to intervene to buy microwaves, since the local workers had nowhere to heat their food.
Added to the disparities in infrastructure were critical hygiene failures: accumulated garbage and collapsed bathrooms, conditions that the minister described as “inhumane.”
Working conditions
One of the most critical points pointed out by Muñoz is the displacement of the national workforce.
According to the official, foreign personnel are carrying out tasks that the Panamanian worker can perform “perfectly.”
Faced with this reality, the minister was blunt: “I am not giving one more work permit for foreign workers who I identify are for the Fourth Bridge.” The objective, he assured, is to attack unemployment from the reality of the field and guarantee compliance with legal hiring percentages.
The Panama Cuarto Puente Consortium is made up of two companies with Chinese capital: China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) and China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC).
It is estimated that the work will be ready by the end of 2028, according to reports from the Ministry of Public Works (MOP).
