Learn more about the requirements to enter and regularize your immigration status in Panama

 

 

Learn about labor rights and empower your knowledge!

 

• Your employer can not retain your documents in exchange for accommodation or just because they are your boss.
• If you are hired for professional services, they cannot make you work on a fixed schedule.
• If you are fired, the employer must pay your severance benefits.
• You are entitled to the minimum wage at all times!

Learn all about working hours in Panama here.

All you have to learn about the special contract!

If you work in domestic, agricultural or commercial sectors, the Panamanian Labor Code includes these occupations within the category of “special contracts”. Here you can discover what the Labor Code says in article 230 and following articles. Select the category of your interest: 

Domestic workers:

•    The hiring may be verbal or written. However, we encourage you to opt for a written contract to back you up.  
•    Domestic work is not subject to a fixed timetable, but your hours of absolute rest are from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  
•    You are entitled to your weekly rest day and paid annual leave.  
•    The domestic servant is entitled to paid rest during national holidays or national mourning days.  
•    In the employment contract of domestic service, the first two weeks will be considered as a trial period and either party may terminate it at their own will. 
•    Once the trial period has expired, the party wishing to terminate the contract must give the other party thirty days' notice, which may be given verbally. However, we encourage you to always seek written notice. 
•    You are entitled to severance pay if your employer decides to terminate your contract.  
•    It is the employer's right to ask you for a health certificate. You can obtain it free of charge from doctors in the service of the Social Security Fund, or any doctor of any other state institution.  
•    The minimum monthly salary for the domestic worker is B/.315.00 for region 1 and B/.290.00 for region 2 (Article 4 of Executive Decree N°74 of 2021). 

Agricultural workers:

If you are engaged in regular agricultural, livestock or forestry work for one or more employers, this is of interest to you:  
•    Employers must pay wages at the place where the workers render their services and in periods of time not exceeding a fortnight;  
•    If you are a permanent farm worker and must live on the site where you work, it is the duty of the employer to provide you and your dependents with living quarters, or a place to live.  
•    In both cases the rooms shall be free of charge, adequate, and hygienic. 

Agents, salespersons and similar trade workers

•    Sales agents, traveling saleswomen, sales promoters, sales pushers, promoters, collectors, and other similar workers are employees of the company to which they render the service.