Banana strike scares the government

Foreign News

Strikes have grown in the Latin American country of Panama after US-owned banana producer Chiquita fired 5,000 workers who were on strike against the government's anti -labor social security reforms. Workers from many sectors blocked roads, and the government declared a "state of emergency" in the province of Bocas del Toro.

Right-wing President Jose Raul Mulino, who previously supported the US company's massacre of workers, said that if the strikes and road closures end, the reform that caused the strikes will be discussed again in Parliament. The bill foresaw reform in social security laws. Workers from many sectors, especially banana producers, went on strike on April 28 against the reform.