Sitraibana leader Francisco Smith claims workers with more than 20 years of service were unjustifiably dismissed
The leader of Panama’s Sitraibana banana union, Francisco Smith, has said the organisation will sue Chiquita for not properly fulfilling its obligations to pay workers’ severance pay after they were laid off.
The lawsuit stems from the dismissal of more than 4,000 Chiquita employees after the company ceased operations in Bocas del Toro due to the Sitraibana strike, which cost the multinational more than US$75mn and caused irreversible damage to production.
According to Smith, there were irregularities in payments and unjustified dismissals, including of workers with more than 20, 30, and even 40 years of service.
In addition, union leaders have called on Chiquita to resume operations in the province or otherwise comply with its labour obligations. Smith announced that a general assembly will be held in 15 days to determine the next steps based on the legal results.
Last week, Panamanian president Raúl Mulino said he was optimistic that Chiquita would resume operations in the country and that talks with the multinational were “progressing well”.
