The Panamanian teachers’ conflict continues despite the repeal of a decree, described as privatizing by teachers, whose leaders endorsed the strike and announced that on Friday they will hold a march through the centric 50 Street. Today at 2:00 p.m. groups from the nine teachers unions who are striking for 16 days, will march to demand that the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, signs an agreement to end the strike, said the union leader Luis Lopez.
He explained that they will gather at the Carmen Church, Via España, and then march down 50 Street to the Office of the Ombudsman with the objective that the President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, is convinced that it is necessary to reach an understanding between the parties.
The official admitted that significant steps have been taken in this period of strike, as the repeal of Decree No. 920 and the installation of the negotiating committee, with the mediation of the Ombudsman manager, Javier Mitil.
However, he said, there is one more point to sign the agreement to end the strike, which is the non-retaliation of any kind against teachers or penalties, including dismissals.
He said they continue striking only for that point, because Molinar insists on punishing educators and students.
