Ex-workers claim compensation

PANAMA. The Minister of Marine Life and the Administrator of the Panamanian Marine Authority, Roberto Linares, met on Thursday with representatives of the Port Authority ex-workers union to discuss claims that they are still owed money for compensation by the government.

Linares said that the responsibility lies between the central government of President Martinelli, the Institution and the state to pay off this debt.

He also added that it may take a full 12 years in order for all claims to be accounted for.

“This is the first meeting between the two parties, and at the moment we are reviewing the situation to reach a consensus which we will present later,” said Linares.

On the part of the Ministry of Economics and Finance, the meeting was attended by Vice-Minister Frank De Lima.

De Lima emphasized that this is a state matter, an issue that stretches to all workers, not just Port employees.

“The goals of the new government have been to adjust national debts, and as such, we will give payment to the ex-workers by all means,” De Lima said.

Linares ended by saying that all future meetings will be carried out as necessary and that all sides aim to end the situation quickly.