Strike in Chiquita: Banana employees are successful, but all have already been fired

The employees of the subsidiary in Panama of the American giant of the Banana Chiquita brands raised on Wednesday, July 11, the blockade of the roads and their strike, which had led to the announcement of thousands of layoffs, after an agreement with the agents.

Since April 28, Chiquita employees in this Central American country smell and blocked the roads of the Caribbean province of Bocas del Toro, on the border with Costa Rica, to protest a new law on Social Security.

These blockages have strongly interrupted local tourist activity and lead to the shortage of goods and fuels, as well as at the close of schools. The social movement has also brought to about $ 75 million in losses for the American banana giant, who responded by announcing the dismissal of almost all its employees in the province (more than 6,500).

Sooned employees soon restored?

However, an agreement has been reached, promises in particular in particular to restore the advantages of workers in the sector, in particular better pensions and better health services.

But what is it for if all Chiquita employees have been fired? Actually, there is hope of reintegration. The agreement establishes that the National Assembly “establishes a communication” with Chiquita “to know the current situation and future prospects of the company and its workers.”

Sources close to negotiations have told AFP that unions seek to conclude an agreement with the Panamanian company and government for reinstatement.

Soak road blockages raised

In exchange for the restoration of the benefits of workers in the banana sector, the unions have been committed “permanently to lift the measures to close public roads and guarantee free movement in the province of Bocas del Toro immediately,” said the president of the National Assembly, Dana Castañeda, on Wednesday, reading an agreement after two days of negotiations.

The union leader Francisco Smith indicated that the workers would reopen the roads “so that there is peace” in Changinola, city of Bocas del Toro, where the Chiquita factory is located. The strike had been declared illegal by a labor court.

The assembly office and parliamentary groups have pledged to approve the bill that restores the social benefits of employees in the banana sector, one of Panama’s export pillars.