Workers and Government Reach Agreement in Bocas Crisis

Sunday night, leaders of the protesting banana workers and the government agreed to put a stop to the violence that has consumed Bocas del Toro this July.

The clash between police and Bocas Fruit Company workers left at least two dead, a dozen injured and one hundred detained, according to official figures.  It was also bad for Panama’s international image.

Government authorities agreed to suspend the controversial Law 30 articles affecting union dues, the environment and police privilege.  The agreement also states that the government will take care of the victims of the conflict, and authorities are releasing all detained protesters without reprimand.

The suspension is good for a 90-day period to allow for a non-violent debate of the issue, and the workers were able to break their 10-day hunger strike.

Papadimitriu (center) and Varela (far right) shake hands with union leaders