Panama City, 20 February 2024 — Panama's Ministry of Labour and Professional Development formalised the initiative of the Ministerial Pact Against Labour Exploitation and the Protection of Human Dignity with the support of the Western Hemisphere Program, which is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the U.S. Department of State.

By signing the Pact, which establishes a framework of cooperation to prevent, address and eradicate labour exploitation, representatives of business associations, workers' associations, private employment agencies, academia, government authorities and the general public is called upon to be informed about the mechanisms to prevent labour exploitation, thus guaranteeing fair working conditions and respect for the human rights of workers — with special attention to migrant workers.

The Pact Against Labour Exploitation seeks to integrate all people in society to ensure fair and safe workplaces. "The promotion of decent work must be a global mission, respect for the human and labour rights of workers, without any social distinction, is a way to promote true social and economic development in our country," said Alfredo Mitre, National Director of Employment of the Ministry of Labour and Professional Development.

"Labour exploitation and its associated risks continue to be a hidden reality in our workplaces and, by educating the population, we seek to make this

reality visible, so that it is denounced, the victims are rescued, and the crime can be fought in a comprehensive manner," he added.

The Pact seeks to ensure that the policies and practices adopted by the signatory parties fully respect the human rights of migrants, in addition to facilitating the establishment of mechanisms that allow a timely and efficient exchange of information between companies, to detect risk situations early and facilitate the implementation of preventive and corrective measures.

"From its pre-Columbian origins to the expansion of the interoceanic canal in the 2010s, Panama has demonstrated the strong link between international migration and sustainable socioeconomic development. Considering that the migrant worker population faces particular challenges, IOM recognizes that human mobility and ethical recruitment are key factors for economic reactivation," said Idiam Osorio, IOM's National Migration Management Officer in Panama.

To learn more about the Pact and sign it, you can go to the www.mitradel.gob.pa/empleo page or go to any MITRADEL office nationwide.

For more information, contact IOM Panama's communications team at iompanama@iom.int.