Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Panama (Ratification: 1966)

The Committee notes the comments transmitted by the National Council of Organised Workers (CONATO) in May 1991 in which it denounced the adoption of Act No. 16 of May 1990, which establishes multisectoral zones and denies the possibility of collective bargaining therein for a period of four years. The Committee also notes the Government's statement in reply to the above comments to the effect that Act No. 16, of May 1990, was adopted with the intention of creating new jobs and establishing export processing zones (maquiladoras), and that it is currently being re-examined in its entirety by the Legislative Assembly.

The Committee requests the Government to supply a copy of the above Act. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on any other legislation that is in force or any draft text to amend Act No. 16 in relation to the rules governing employment in processing zones.