14 de julio de 2020. 

El Ministerio de Trabajo emitió el día de ayer el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 101 de 13 de julio 2020 cuyos aspectos más relevantes son los siguientes: 

1. Los acuerdos de reducción de jornada podrán realizarse hasta un máximo de 50% de la jornada mensual.
2. La reducción no afectará la rata por hora pactada en el contrato de trabajo vigente.
3. La reducción podrá extenderse hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2020.
4. Para efectos de los descuentos al trabajador, éstos serán ajustados de acuerdo con los porcentajes establecidos en el artículo 161 del Código de Trabajo.
5. Durante el tiempo de duración de las reducciones, las empresas podrán contratar trabajadores, siempre que sean posiciones nuevas, para las que no se cuente con personal antes del acuerdo de reducción.
6. La decisión de nuevas contrataciones deberá informarse al sindicato, de existir y, si no, a los trabajadores.

Este decreto entra en vigor al día siguiente de su promulgación.

Para consultas adicionales puede contactarnos a [email protected]

Updated on June 1, 2020

National Immigration Authority:

• Residence Permits are valid until June 7, 2020. This measure is in place since from March 13.
• The suspension of administrative processes and user service will be lifted from June 8.
• In-person user servicewill be restored gradually and progressively:
• Between June 8 and June 12, only attorneys will be allowed to visit, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• As of June 15, the general public will be allowed into the premises, up to 25%of the location’s capacity.
• An extension of up to three (3) monthsis granted to persons whose temporary residence permits, migratory regularization and tourist visas, have expired between March 13 and June 7, in order to file applications without incurring in fines or surcharges.
• The validity of previously issued documents already that have expired between March 13 and June 7, is extended for a period of up to three (3) additional months, except for bank reference letters and good health certificates.

Ministry of Labor – Labor Immigration:

• The validity of work permits for foreign workers is extended until June 15. This extension is in force since March 12.
• Any procedure related to work permits, as well as judicial procedural terms remain suspended until June 15.

Morgan & Morgan will be coordinating all the necessary measures with our clients so that, from June 8, 2020 immigration procedures before the National Immigration Authority can resume and work permits before the Ministry of Labor can resume from June 16, 2020, if there are no additional extensions regarding procedural terms and in-person user service.

Panama, May 12, 2020. In planning for the post-quarantine return to business activities, the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL, for its initials in Spanish) based on Executive Decree No. 78 of March 16, 2020, has required business to create Special Committees on Health and Hygiene for the Prevention and Care of COVID-19. These committees must include representatives for both management and labor.

What does this committee consist of, and how should it be formed?

It is a select temporary committee, different from the Health Committee, with specific functions related to prevention and mitigation measures for COVID-19 at the workplace and that will remain in force for the duration of the pandemic. It must be made up of a minimum of 2 to 6 people, depending on the size of the company, per the following table:

The committee must have the same number representatives from labor and management. If there is union representation in the company, the union representative must be a part of the committee.

What requirements must the company meet?

The committee must be installed through a written document signed by all the members. This record, together with a form designed by MITRADEL, must be sent to the MITRADEL Inspection Directorate by electronic means.

Additionally, the committee must carry out a series of functions, including executing the recommendations contained in the Protocol to preserve hygiene and health in the workplace for the prevention of COVID-19.

This committee, as MITRADEL has pointed out, takes on special importance in the elaboration of business continuity plans by establishing a Health and Safety Plan for Return to the workplace.

Businesses must be prepared so that, in the event of an inspection by the authorities, they can demonstrate that they have a duly constituted committee and have taken the measures to guarantee a safe return to the workplace.

Our Labor Law Practice Group is prepared to advise you both in the formation of the committee and the preparation of the Health and Safety Plan for the Return to Business Activities. If you have any questions, you can contact us at [email protected].

Panama, May 4, 2020.

The National Immigration Authority and the Ministry of Labor extend the measures taken as a result of the State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Immigration Authority

• Residence permits are extended up to May 15th. This extension is in force since March 13th.
• Reference is made to all permits and tourist stays that expire within the aforementioned period and will not give rise to fines due to expiration.
• All terms are suspended until May 15th, including processes, actions. Attention to the public is also suspended until the same date.
• Only humanitarian flights and those that transport cargo and products, medical-hospital equipment, medications, vaccines and any other necessary supplies to face the COVID-19 pandemic are allowed to enter the National Territory.

Ministry of Labor – Labor Immigration

• The validity of work permits for foreign workers is extended until May 30^th. This extension is in force since March 12^th.
• Any procedure related to work permits, as well as the judicial terms are suspended until May 30^th.

Panama, April 27, 2020.

In this podcast, produced by the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), labor and employment law practitioners from Central America, focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted workplaces throughout the region.

Speakers: Fernando Farrar (BLP / El Salvador), Alexandra Aguilar (BLP / Costa Rica), Cynthia Chavarría (BLP / Honduras), Favio Batres (BLP / Nicaragua), Maria Teresa Mendoza (Morgan & Morgan / Panama), Cynthia Sequeira (BLP / Guatemala)

Click here to listen: The Central America – COVID-19 Guide for Employers