Panama strike for the poor. Photo by TeleSUR

Protesters are also seeking an end to police impunity following a series of cases in which police officers walked away without charge after lethally shooting down construction workers. Photo by TeleSUR

Thousands of workers brought Panama to a standstill on Tuesday as part of a national 24-hour strike to demand “justice for the poor,” including the right to unionize, an end to corruption and high living costs.

Over 5,000 Panama Canal workers joined the national strike and flooded the streets of the capital in a march to the Supreme Court of Justice resulting in major traffic jams, according to Prensa Latina.

The protesters oppose plans to increase the retirement age in the country and are demanding universal access to clean drinking water and protections on the right to unionize.

Protesters are also seeking an end to police impunity following a series of cases in which police officers walked away without charge after lethally shooting down construction workers.

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