Chiquita lays off the last of its workforce in Panama

Through a press release published on Thursday, Chiquita announced the layoff of its remaining 1,189 daily workers in Panama. 

The local Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) granted the banana giant authorization for these final layoffs, which take effect today, July 18.

This is the last batch of layoffs after the multinational released 5,000 employees in Bocas del Toro at the end of May, and announced the shutdown of two of its plantations following nationwide protests over government reforms to social security. 

At the beginning of June, the company’s executive branch left Panama after laying off 60 people from the administrative branch, which ultimately led to the multinational announcing it was ceasing operations in the country. Overall, the strike resulted in losses amounting to $75 million for Chiquita. 

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