LatinNews Daily - 23 May 2025

*Banana company Chiquita Panamá, the local subsidiary of multinational banana company Chiquita Brands International, has announced that it will terminate the contracts of all of its day labourers due to the strike by banana workers on its fincas (estates) since 28 April. The strike by the banana workers has been taking place as part of a general strike staged by unions since 23 April over new reforms to the social security system (CSS) and recently signed security agreements with the US, inter alia. According to a statement by the banana company, the strike by its workers has resulted in economic losses of at least US$75m, causing “irreversible damage” to production. The statement does not provide figures regarding the number of workers to be laid off, but the national media is reporting that some 5,000 will be affected. Bananas are Panama’s leading export, accounting for 16.3% of Panama’s total exports in 2024 according to trade & industry ministry figures.

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