GENEVA (ILO Online) – The construction of a waterway to link two oceans separated by an isthmus defied reality in 1880, and was a deadly trap for more than 27,000 workers who had died by the time it was completed in 1914. Recently, work to extend the canal has begun, but this time under the banner of Decent Work, according to an announcement by the Government of Panama to delegates from around the world gathering at the annual conference of the ILO.
“We are committed to the arduous task of extending the Panama Canal, and we hope to carry it out under the principles of decent work” Edwin Salamín Jaen, Labour Minister of Panama said in a speech following his election as President of the 97th International Labour Conference which gathers representatives of governments, workers and employers from 182 ILO member States in Geneva.
Mr. Salamín Jaen told the plenary session of the Conference that the Government of Panama has included a clause in construction tenders committing “the companies involved to respect decent work principles for the approximately 7,000 direct jobs to be created”.
The proposed extension of the Panama Canal, aimed at increasing the volume of traffic the waterway can absorb, began in September and will be completed in 2014. This is a project “we are closely watching”, the President of the Conference told ILO Online.
The decision to include Decent Work principles in the extension of the Panama Canal is emblematic, as it contrasts with the high cost in human lives caused by the construction of the original canal, mainly because of tropical diseases and accidents.
Today, both the Canal and the extension works are in the hands of Panama, and Salamín Jaen said that his country attaches the utmost importance to this matter. The Minister added that those employed in the project today still had “a dangerous job facing great risk”.
Decent work is promoted by the ILO as an objective for all nations and societies, with the aim of providing equal access to productive employment, with safety in the workplace, social protection for families and respect for labour rights. This is a concept that has gained support from the international community and numerous political forums and countries, and it is an essential tool for fighting poverty and fostering development.
According to Mr. Salamín Jaen, Panama agreed on a National Decent Work Agenda last December. “Any economic activity should respect these principles” the Minister said.
Referring to his presidency of the Conference, he added that “we have such important issues on the agenda as the promotion of rural employment for poverty reduction, increased productivity, job growth and development, and strengthening the capacities of the Organization”.
The Minister highlighted the tripartite nature of the ILO, “a participatory and democratic body because everything is being discussed here, everything is debated”, and the proposals adopted represent an added value as they are based on consensus.