Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Panama (Ratification: 1971)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Article 2 of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in relation to the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2010–14 of the Ministry of Social Development. With regard to the observations made in 2013 by the National Confederation of United Independent Unions (CONUSI) and the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO), the Committee notes that the Opportunities Network Programme benefited some 362,000 persons living in extreme poverty who did not have sufficient resources to ensure their health, nutrition and education. Act No. 15 of 1 September 2014 extended the coverage of the economic assistance programme so that persons of 65 years of age and over who do not have a pension and are in a situation of poverty receive monthly financial assistance of 120 balboas. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the programmes implemented to combat poverty and the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” is regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development”.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee thanks the Government for the information received on the processes for the regularization of migrants carried out between 2010 and 2014 and hopes that it will continue providing information on the measures adopted to improve the standards of living of migrant workers.

Part IV. Article 12. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. The Government has provided copies of ten rulings issued by the Higher Labour Court of the first judicial district relating to the interpretation of section 161 of the Labour Code, which refers to retention of and deductions from workers’ wages. The Committee is grateful for the information provided and requests the Government to continue providing information on rulings issued by the courts and administrative decisions relating to section 161(3) and (13) of the Labour Code, which gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention.