Event Summary
On 14 September 2025, the executive committee of the Autonomous Central of Workers of Panama was removed as a result of a general assembly, which, according to its general secretary, failed to comply with the union’s bylaws. The congress was convened to elect a new Executive Committee (Board of Directors), but only six of the eighteen member organisations participated. Article 16 of the CGTP statutes stipulates that the call for a National Workers’ Congress must be issued either by the Executive Committee itself or by at least half plus one of the affiliated organisations. Despite this requirement, the Ministry of Labour and Workforce Development (MITRADEL) promptly recognised the congress and approved the change in the CGTP’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the general secretary was the subject of a complaint filed by another union leader, who accused her of honor crimes. The criminal case was dismissed by a judge who considered it lacking in evidence. The union leader maintains that this is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader strategy against the Panamanian union movement.
This raises concerns about potential weakening of workers’ collective organising and political interference in internal union processes. Such developments can undermine the enabling environment for civil society by eroding organisational autonomy, reducing trust in democratic governance structures, and restricting the ability of labour unions to operate freely and independently.