Labor Law
We have a highly qualified team in labor and employment law, combining decades of experience with regulatory and business knowledge. We have the ability to view our clients' needs from their perspective and with commercial sensitivity. Likewise, we provide innovative solutions that set precedents in each of our interventions.
Our labor and employment team is the most recognized in the Panamanian market, due to its vast experience and track record in the field. Our services include: general labor legal advice, judicial and extrajudicial claims, labor disputes (collective and individual), arbitrations, and labor-related strategic planning, among others.
We assist numerous clients with operations in Panama from various productive sectors and industries, which gives us the ability to understand the employment law needs and opportunities that exist across all sectors, including, but not limited to:
- Dockworker.
- Hospitals.
- Insurance.
- Pharmaceutical.
- Retail and wholesale trade.
- Manufacturing.
- Transportation.
- Aviation.
- Hospitality and tourism.
- Education (universities, schools).
- Construction.
Among our prominent achievements are the strategic planning and execution of the transition of the public transportation system from a private to a governmental entity. Likewise, we have provided assistance in the planning and execution of transitions resulting from the privatization of services. Additionally, we have successfully participated in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements in most of the country's productive sectors, which serve as benchmarks in the labor legal market.
Acknowledgments
- Recognized in Tier 1 of the international directory The Legal 500, with an excellent rating from our clients.
- Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez receives praise for achieving an “excellent balance between consultancy and litigation,” advising on employment contracts and the labor aspects of corporate transactions, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions, and representing clients in labor disputes. The Legal 500 Editorial, Latin America 2023.
- “AFRA's labor law team is very well structured. They combine youth with a lot of experience and have an excellent balance between consulting and litigation, as well as union matters. A diverse team that works quickly, has a clear understanding of the client's needs, and is with us throughout the entire process. Compared to other firms in this field, I believe they are more assertive and direct regarding what the client needs.” Client for The Legal 500, Latin America 2023.
Featured Transactions
- We assisted Cervecería Nacional (part of the AB InBev Group) with the successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with its union, amidst the announcement of a strike.
- We assisted the Port of Singapore (PSA Panama) in the successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with one of the company's unions.
- We assisted DHL Panama in the negotiation and resolution of a collective dispute filed by one of the company's unions before the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.
- We advised Importadora Maduro in the negotiation with its union, the suspension of the effects of the collective bargaining agreement, and reductions in employee work shifts as part of the reorganization of its operations.
- We provide legal counsel in the transition process of the public transportation system from a private entity to a governmental entity, while managing over 4,000 terminations and rehirings to avoid disrupting the transportation system, all within a week.
Acknowledgments
- Recognized in Tier 1 of the international directory The Legal 500, with an excellent rating from our clients.
- Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez receives praise for achieving an “excellent balance between consultancy and litigation,” advising on employment contracts and the labor aspects of corporate transactions, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions, and representing clients in labor disputes. The Legal 500 Editorial, Latin America 2023.
- “AFRA's labor law team is very well structured. They combine youth with a lot of experience and have an excellent balance between consulting and litigation, as well as union matters. A diverse team that works quickly, has a clear understanding of the client's needs, and is with us throughout the entire process. Compared to other firms in this field, I believe they are more assertive and direct regarding what the client needs.” Client for The Legal 500, Latin America 2023.
Featured Transactions
- We assisted Cervecería Nacional (part of the AB InBev Group) with the successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with its union, amidst the announcement of a strike.
- We assisted the Port of Singapore (PSA Panama) in the successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with one of the company's unions.
- We assisted DHL Panama in the negotiation and resolution of a collective dispute filed by one of the company's unions before the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.
- We advised Importadora Maduro in the negotiation with its union, the suspension of the effects of the collective bargaining agreement, and reductions in employee work shifts as part of the reorganization of its operations.
- We provide legal counsel in the transition process of the public transportation system from a private entity to a governmental entity, while managing over 4,000 terminations and rehirings to avoid disrupting the transportation system, all within a week.