29. RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR COMPENSATION FOR PANAMANIAN

PORT WORKERS DISPLACED BY CARTER/TORRIJOS PANAMA CANAL TREATY

Whereas, on July 29, 1996, the operation of the Port of Balboa was contracted to Hutchinson Whampao, LTD,

a private firm; and

Whereas, over two thousand port workers were displaced by the privatization process put into motion by the

Carter/Torrijos Panama Canal agreement; and

Whereas, the Port Authority of Balboa and Cristobal and the central office of the past national Port Authority,

now the Maritime Authority of Panama has refused to compensate those workers displaced by the

Carter/Torrijos Panama Canal agreement; and

Whereas, on July 14, 1992, the Panamanian Assembly approved Article 22, Section 16, of said agreement

which established a legal process for the privatization of public enterprises, properties and national services; and

Whereas, the approved Article 22, Section 16 provided for compensation, including salaries and benefits for

displaced workers; and

Whereas, the government of Panama has guaranteed compensation in the sum of $12 million under agreement

with the workers in September of 2005; and

Whereas, on August 10, 2007 the Officers of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)

adopted a "Resolution in Support of Compensation for Port Workers Displaced by the Carter/Torrijos Panama

Canal Agreement"; and

Therefore Be it Resolved, that the Maritime authority of Panama shall make whole all workers who have been

displaced by the privatization of the canal; and

Be it Further Resolved, that the government of Panama and President Martin Torrijos Espino shall fulfill the

negotiated agreement to provide the $12 million in compensation to the displaced workers; and

Be it Further Resolved, that the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) reaffirms its

support for compensation for Port Workers Displaced by the Carter/Torrijos Panama Canal Agreement.

Respectfully introduced by:

Alejandro Stephens

Los Angeles County LCLAA Chapter