Chiquita Panama to fire banana workers after strike
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Chiquita Panama said on Thursday it will fire daily workers in the western province of Bocas del Toro after what it called an "unjustified abandonment of work" at its banana farms that began late April.
"The company has proceeded with the termination of all our daily workers," it said in a statement, adding that it estimated losses from 24 days of strike at least $75 million.
The layoff should amount to some 5,000 workers of a total of 6,500 employed nationwide, a source close to the company told Reuters.
Thousands of banana strike as Panamanians across the country have protested against several issues including reforms to social securities which they say will affect their future pensions.
Chiquita Panama said workers affected by the layoffs must report to its offices the following day to collect their severance payments.
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