Panama government to facilitate Chiquita return to Bocas del Toro

Written and reported by Camila Gutierrez | Lee esta noticia en Español

The Panamanian Government, through its Cabinet Council, has authorized the local Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, to make all necessary arrangements to allow Chiquita Panamá's operations to resume in the province of Bocas del Toro.

The authorization also includes the signing of any necessary agreements on behalf of the national government, as well as the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to track and ensure the effective implementation of the commitments made.

The worker strike that prompted Chiquita's Panama exit

The multinational banana producer and distributor halted operations in Panama due to a 3-month worker strike, triggered by a social security reform. The legislation threatened pension benefits for banana workers, prompting various unions, including Sitraibana, to stop work at Chiquita's plantations.

The strike resulted in at least $75 million in losses, and the multinational company responded by firing more than 6,000 workers back in May, citing abandonment of duties. A local court even sided with the company and ruled the strike illegal. Subsequently, the company's administrative team left the area in June, and in July, the company laid off the last of its remaining workers.

By all means necessary

Aware of the social and economic impact of Chiquita's exit, the Panamanian authorities are taking a series of actions to persuade the company to reestablish operations in the country. The government recognizes the company's history and its importance in the province's development.

Various state entities, including the Ministry of Agricultural Development and the Ministry of Labor and Development, will manage coordination for Chiquita's return. The goal of these efforts is to facilitate an orderly and sustainable reactivation of the banana sector in Bocas del Toro.

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