The redevelopment of the Panama Canal has been halted because of the indefinite nationwide strike called by the main construction union in the country, calling for a salary increase of at least 20% annually.

“The extension is fully paralyzed … the construction industry stands because we are a serious union,” said Hector Hurtado, secretary of the Trade Union of Construction Workers and Similar (Suntracs).

When asked whether the measure was repeated in the Atlantic slope, the union leader answered “yes exactly. The whole project is paralyzed … employers have forced us to take the step, because their wage proposal is not satisfactory to the workers,” said Hurtado.

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