BWI stands in solidarity with Panamanian union SUNTRACS against government union-busting and calls for ILO recommendations to be implemented.

Geneva, 11th April 2025. The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), representing more than 12 million workers in 117 countries, shows its solidarity with its affiliate, the Single National Union of Construction Industry and Allied Workers (SUNTRACS) Panama, which has been undergoing acts of intimidation against trade union representatives and the closure of its bank accounts in reprisal for its participation in protests against the decision to approve mining concession contracts and against the approval of Law 462 that reforms the Social Security Fund.

BWI welcomes the Interim Report of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Freedom of Association Committee (Report No. 409, March 2025) on Case No. 3456 – Panama presented by SUNTRACS, CONUSI, and BWI. The ILO is requesting the Panamanian government to “ensure that SUNTRACS’ leaders enjoy the necessary protection measures in cases where they are exposed to risk” and to “adopt immediate measures in order to guarantee SUNTRACS full access to its funds and the functioning of its accounts in the financial system” in order to fully guarantee the right of trade union organizations to organize their administration and activities. The BWI and its 350 affiliates worldwide request the Panamanian government to implement the ILO’s recommendations, respecting the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98),  both ratified by Panama.   

Since October 2023, SUNTRACS has been suffering the arbitrary closure or limitations on access to its bank accounts, preventing the availability and use of union funds. Added to this are disinformation campaigns, mass arrests of activists, excessive use of police force in the repression of demonstrations, freezing of bank accounts, and the filing of alleged legal cases against leaders and officials of SUNTRACS, and other forms of union-busting measures.

BWI is inviting its unions worldwide to join us in the demand for the Panamanian government to implement the ILO recommendations, showing their international solidarity against actions that violate freedom of association, the repression of social protest, and the criminalization and prosecution of trade union action.

An attack on one of us is an attack on all who champion justice, democracy, and the right to dissent. Therefore, we urgently call our affiliates to ACT NOW!

How to get involved?

- Send solidarity letters supporting SUNTRACS. See the sample letter.

Letters should be sent to suntracs@suntracs.info and comunicacion@bwint.org.

- Show your support

• Download our posters.
• Take photos and videos
• Social media post, tag
• Instagram @suntracspanama, @bwiglobalunion
• Facebook @Suntracs1, @BWIGlobalUnion
• Twitter/X @SuntracsPanama, @BWIglobal
• Use hashtag: #SolidaridadSUNTRACS

We must act now! Sin lucha, no hay victoria!