(Prensa.com) Panamanian workers held today, Sunday May 1 Labor Day with a massive march through the streets of Panama City to demand better pay.
The secretary general of the National Confederation of Independent Unions (CONUSI), Genaro López, told Xinhua his rejection of the high cost of living and the steady increase in the price of staple foods.
“Thousands of workers are marching against the neoliberal policies that have deepened poverty and unemployment in Panama and all Latin American countries,” he said during the march filled with colorful flags and protest slogans.
During this massive event could hear slogans like “Down with the high cost of living”, “A general increase of wages,” “neoliberal policies bring more hunger”, while the various guilds in the streets.
Lopez also recalled the “sacrifice” of the group of leaders who preceded them in the labor movement, setting the stage for the day of eight hours and other social demands that currently protect the workers.
“It’s a very important day for all workers throughout the world to pay tribute to the martyrs who fought for the conquest of eight hours, and all our rights,” he said.
In this regard, the teachers’ union leader of the Authentic Independent Teachers Association (AMIA), Mario Almanza, called on Panamanians to strengthen their unions in order to defend and improve their living conditions.
“At this time, educators must work hard to make our social achievements are not damaged, as now with this economic model that creates more extreme poverty and unemployment,” he said.
For its part, the leader of the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO), Mark Allen, in the midst of the march, demanded a general wage increase for all industries.
“The Panamanian workers need their wages increased from 500 to $ 750 a month, because the current minimum wage is not enough to cover the basic food basket,” he said.
All the union leaders of different associations and federations of this Central American country agreed to claim the price freeze of staple foods and improve wages.
The march of Panamanian workers, which began in the central Parque Porras, culminating in the Plaza Cinco de Mayo, the traditional scenario of union rallies throughout the history of the Republic of Panama