The Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labor Organization (ILO), in its report 413, exposes the “significant restrictions” on labor rights in Panama.
The document dedicates 18 pages to the country’s situation in this regard and highlights a series of government and judicial measures that, according to the international organization, severely limit the capacity for action of union organizations, especially the Single National Union of Construction and Similar Industry Workers (Suntracs).
Persecution after protests
The report includes complaints about the repression of protests against the law that endorsed the contract with Minera Panamá, a legal tool that It was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ)and against Law 406 that reformed the country’s retirement system.
The committee requested final reports on the investigations into the deaths of four people that occurred in November 2023, during anti-mining protests.
Read here: Two people die from shots fired by an armed man during a protest on the Panamericana
The demonstrations against the mining contract marked the end of the government of Laurentino Cortizoof the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), while the reforms to the retirement and pension system of the Social Security Fund (CSS) were approved in March 2025, during the first months of the government of José Raúl Mulino.
The complaining organizations also reported the arrest of more than 500 union members in February 2025 “without observance of the guarantees established in the Constitution.”
Closing of bank accounts
Likewise, the document highlights “the systematic closure” of bank accounts of the organization and its cooperative. The committee cited the position of the Ombudsman’s Office of Panama.
The Ombudsman’s Office at the time issued a statement where it stated that it “evidenced an obvious violation” of the human rights of association and freedom of association to Suntracs, following the closure of its bank accounts by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel), the Superintendency of Banks of Panama and the Savings Bank (CA).”
The Cortizo and Mulino governments closed construction union accounts amid protests over the mining contract (end of 2023) and the Social Security Fund (2025).
Clashes between workers and police
In February 2025, Suntracs workers confronted National Police agents near the Santo Tomás and del Niño hospitals. President Mulino described the events as an “indiscriminate act of murder” and attacked the protesters, whom he called “terrorists.” That day, at least 514 workers were arrested.
The committee noted in this regard that it observes with concern that economic asphyxiation persists without a firm court order. Added to this is the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Labor for the dissolution of the union, as well as for the cancellation of the legal status of its cooperative by the Panamanian Autonomous Cooperative Institute.
On this point, the ILO recalled that: “…the dissolution of union organizations is a measure that only “should occur in cases of extreme gravity, and such dissolutions should only occur as a consequence of a judicial decision, in order to fully guarantee the rights of the defense.” .
In July 2025, the Minister of Labor, Jackeline Muñozfiled a lawsuit for the dissolution of the union organization. He maintained that it was the result of a rigorous legal and technical analysis, based on current labor legislation and in defense of the general interest of the country’s workers.
He also stated that he was responding to multiple complaints and facts that show how, under the façade of a union organization, repeated acts of extortion, violence, fraud, abuse of power and misuse of resources have been committed.
‘Criminalization of leadership’
The report also details criminal proceedings against union officials such as Jaime Caballero and Saul Mendez. The two are being investigated for the alleged commission of the crime of money laundering as a result of a labor dispute in the Red Frog tourism project, on Isla Bastimentos island, Bocas del Toro.
Caballero is under house arrest at his home in Boquete, Chiriquí. While Méndez, who was general secretary of the union, requested asylum in Bolivia, where he remained from May 21 to July 19, 2025. Days later, he left that country. The judicial authorities of Panama issued an Interpol red alert to locate him.
The committee also urged the Government to demonstrate that these measures do not have their origin in union activities. They concluded that “Suntracs has been subject to significant and increasing restrictions on its capabilities, even though… it has not been the subject of any convictions to date.”
Finally, the ILO urged Panama to allow Suntracs “to exercise all its normal activities to promote and defend the interests of its members” while the ongoing judicial processes conclude.
This May 1, International Labor Day, Suntracs, along with other unions, will march from Porras Park to Plaza 5 de Mayo. They have called him: “The working class resists and fights for democracy, peace and sovereignty.”
