Panama faces new labor accusations

The International Transport Workers' Federation, ITF, has alleged that the Panama Canal Authority is breaching the country's commitments to global labour principles.

ITF general secretary Steve Cotton claimed that the Canal Authority's attempt to close down tugboat captains union UCOC is "a classic case of union busting and a fundamental violation of the International Labour Organisation principles of freedom of association, which the Panamanian government rightly adopted".

In recent months, the ITF has also publicly questioned the Canal Authority's safety and training commitments.

Source: IHS Maritime