Chiquita Panama's management has exited the country and intends to seek government consent to lay off the rest of its staff, according to Panama's labor minister, reports Reuters. Facing repercussions from a recent strike impacting the sector, the firm had already terminated employment for approximately 5,000 out of its 6,500 workers last month.
In late April, operations at Chiquita's banana farms in Bocas del Toro ceased due to what the company described as an "unjustified abandonment of work." This disruption has reportedly led to financial losses amounting to $75 million by May 22. Despite the scale of these layoffs, the firm has not yet provided any public remarks regarding these developments.
Striking banana workers in Panama are part of a larger national movement protesting various issues, notably social security reforms they assert will negatively impact future pensions. Amid these events, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino labeled the strike as illegal and illegitimate.
Source: Reuters
