Martinelli’s first protest

PANAMA. Hundreds of public servants gathered before the National Assembly on Tuesday July 28 to protest against the new Administrative Career law.

They continued towards the Presidential Palace and were received by the Presidency Vice-Minister, Maria Fabrega.

She told 12 representatives of the civil servants unions that the government is willing to discuss the new Administrative Career law, which is trying to solve it quickly.

During the meeting the union leaders delivered a letter to Fabrega requesting that the audit process commence as soon as possible due to the possible irregularities in the accreditation of civil servants that were included in the administrative career by the Martin Torrijos Administration between 2007 and 2009.

The representative of the Public Servants National Federation (FENASEP), Alfredo Berrocal and Elberto Cobos from Panama National Workers Center (CNTP) asked for the approval of a general wages law.

Fabrega said that a salary bill for the public sector is one of the projects of the current government. ”Our doors are always open and we are willing to talk and tell President Martinelli about your concerns,” said the Vice-Minister.

During the meeting that took place Tuesday night at the Presidential Palace, the government sought to ease the concerns of those public servants who have all the prerequisites that the new law demands.

Public servants fear massive layoffs over the next few months. Many believe that as many as 20,000 workers will lose their jobs due to the new statute. The governments employs 120,000 people.