A decision that shakes families—and breakfast tables worldwide
Shockwaves are rippling through Panama, and the world is watching closely. In a dramatic announcement, the American banana giant Chiquita confirmed it will lay off every one of its remaining employees in Panama.
For the thousands of families who depend on banana plantations—and for anyone who casually peels a banana with breakfast—this story hits home.
Bananas and Panama: an industry in crisis
Bananas aren’t just a snack in Panama—they’re a lifeline. The fruit ranks among the nation’s top five exports, fueling local economies and supporting entire towns.
But that bond is now under threat. Chiquita’s Panamanian branch says more than 1,600 workers will be dismissed, after earlier cuts in May already wiped out about 4,900 jobs.
Those aren’t just statistics—they represent homes, schools, and communities, particularly in the lush Caribbean province of Bocas del Toro, where banana plantations stretch for miles.
Strikes and the battle over pensions
At the heart of this crisis is a bitter dispute over pension reform. On April 28, plantation workers launched a strike, protesting new laws passed by Panama’s Congress.
Union leaders say the reforms slash retirement security and healthcare protections for laborers who spend decades under the hot sun harvesting bananas.
If you’ve ever stood in a banana field, you know the backbreaking effort behind each bunch. During a visit years ago, a farmer told me bluntly: “Without a pension, my family has no future.” His words echo in today’s protests.
Negotiations stall as trust breaks down
President José Raúl Mulino tried to step in. His government promised to draft a new bill that would restore workers’ social benefits—if unions ended roadblocks and strikes.
But for union leaders, promises aren’t enough. They insist they’ll only stand down once the new law is officially passed. And so the standoff continues.
Meanwhile, banana fields sit idle. Trucks don’t move. Workers don’t earn. And the shockwaves stretch far beyond Panama. After all, Chiquita bananas travel as far as Europe and the United States.
What’s at stake for Chiquita and Panama
This isn’t just about wages—it’s about identity. Bananas are part of Panama’s culture and economy. The mass layoffs threaten to hollow out Bocas del Toro, where nearly every household is linked to the industry.
For Chiquita, the decision reflects huge losses—tens of millions of dollars in just a few weeks of strike action. For Panama, it’s a test of whether government and unions can find common ground before the entire industry collapses.
Why the world should care
Every banana in your grocery aisle carries with it a hidden story—of trade deals, hard labor, and, sometimes, injustice. The struggle unfolding in Panama is a reminder that the fruit we take for granted comes at a cost.
The question now: Can Panama’s workers win the pensions and protections they demand? Or will global companies like Chiquita walk away for good?
Join the conversation
What do you think about Chiquita’s decision to leave Panama? Should workers keep striking to protect their pensions, or is there another path forward?
Share your thoughts below, and pass this story along. Because when thousands of families lose their livelihoods, it isn’t just Panama’s problem—it’s something the whole world should notice.
The entire world will suffer. Not only the precious families in Boca. Boca needs this plant to be saved of the poverty to its people. This is a sad thing. Visiting Boca back in Janusry was amazing and meeting the people of this town was incredible. Please start operations again. This people depend on this company to support their families.
Union Labor is how you get things Done without the Union these Companies want to give you pennies on a Dollar …The World Admires The Well Known Chiquita Banana Brand i hope they come to an Agreement it will Effect the Cost of Banana every where
Amen
Chiquita is a Swiss company.
Isn’t that the way it works now.people get nothing it all about the boardroom
Read the article.
The Panamaniam CONGRESS passed the LAW. Not Chiquita.
Want to end this,take it up with the government. The same Panama that sold rights to the canal to the CCP.
WAKE UP!
Every worker should have benefits such as pensions and health insurance.
Chiquita now understands that without your workforce, everyone suffers including them.
For everyones sake, please get these issues settled immediately!
They can’t restart production unless the people stop striking and open the roadblocks.
Try to spend one day working like them and you will see why is the protest!
It’s a tough situation. I was in a union for 30 years. I learned one thing supply and demand it’s cold. It’s hard but if you’re going to make it difficult for the suppliers, there’s another place they can go. The unions are gonna run down too deep and there’s no way out jobs have gone And the truth is corporations go where it’s easier to work look what happened to the clothing industry in the southif it’s not there, they’re going to leave Panama, so who loses at the end I’m still getting my bananas. It’s cold but true.
I agree. It’s sad that Chiquita isn’t providing pensions for their workers.
Other American Corporations do.
It’s backbreaking work in hot and humid weather conditions, sometimes pouring rain.
I hate to see 6,000 + workers lose wages that supports their families.
Panama makes money on tourism and should try harder to reach a settlement or at least stop the road blockades. Laborers cannot be out of work for so long without wages.
Crime will increase as would drug trafficking. That is the cold reality.
“if you’re going to make it difficult for the suppliers, there’s another place they can go”
That’s not exactly true whey bananas!
Isn’t there something the Union or Lawyers can do to get the workers their pension’s and have the workers go back to work and the banana farm will not be waisted. They seem like they could get help. President Trump I’m sure could help. He has helped this Country. I know that is controversial. But true.
Praying 🙏🙏🙏 labor laws need protection and fairness. Perhaps President Trump could negotiate with these issues in a collaborative group setting.
I love bananas !
I hope the top banana works it out.
You should see the way J D Vance eats a bananna
But the people don’t matter to you, just that you have your bananas. What a joke!
This is bogus this is over a year old information they’re already in talks to restart operations there. What a joke.
Wow, thank you for that info. My company buys Chiquita bananas every week. I would of looked like an idiot, telling my boss about this arricle.
Bob’s comment is not accurate. Google the issue. It is current ie. 2025
This is from this year! July to be precise. Why did you think this was last year?
False Bob. Strikes began in April 2025 with layoffs in May & July
Check the bilinear, it’s two (2) days ago, August 26, 2025. Maybe the situation began a year ago, but for this to be published today, a deal has not been struck, and as the article said, until the law is passed, no Bananas!
I hope at lease the government will step in to take control of the plantations if they are owned by Chiquita, or make Chiquita sell the plantations as a protections of their people & economy from foreign invaders.
Yet another American company I won’t patronize because of its cruel, unfair treatment in Central America.
In the mean time,
BOYCOTT CHIQUITA!!!!!!!!!!!
And SHAME on the Panamanian government for passing the harmful law(s) that endangered the workers’ pensions in the first place.
What do they need Chiquita for. Panamanians grow the bananas; Panamanians pick the bananas. Why don’t Panamanians sell the bananas. I’d rather pay Panamanians direct for my bananas, than some fat, white, Republican who’s never done a day’s work in his life.
It’s not an American owned company..
Sorry to say, but fat white republicans need to feed their families too.
Bananas are very perishable. Speed in distribution to markets is why I would think. Chiquita has that in place
Yes, Chiquita owns Great White shipping fleet with ports in Almirante and Limon with regular shipments to Tampa.
I am one of those annoying ultra-conservative right wingers. I entirely agree. Give the money as directly as possible to the people who actually do the work. Maybe 40+ years ago there was a campaign to help migrant farm workers. Instead of boycotting lettuce these people taxed themselves $1.00 per head of lettuce. They sent the money to the people who worked in the fields. Others who meant well boycotted lettuce which presumably had the potential to put the workers out of employment altogether. Then they would have no income. The first option was more feasible.
Chaquita is headquarters in Switzerland and it’s president is Carlos Lopez Flores.
Democrats have been accused of many things, but being intelligent has never been one of them.
It’s Chiquita and this is an issue of social justice
The president cannot pronounce Yosemite. And, I believe he’s a Republican.
🙏 changes things !!! Pray for the nation of Panama so the hard working folks can go back to work.and have a future.
Amen
It’s “chiquita”, genius!
Sound like a plan now give a Panama Resident the Necessary Funds to open a processing Plantation
Who owns the plantations?
Please use or state facts instead of propaganda.! Racist comments say more about you than those you attack..!
Offering solutions or support provides more value than hate speech.!
Don’t let your emotions convey an image of ignorance! Display concern, curiosity or even distrust in the situation or information provided.
Emotions uncontrolled are more destructive than Mother Nature.
Here, Here!!! I commend you for stating and standing.
I would think that no matter what country or what is being grown to distribute across the entire world families of such labor still seek what we all seek in life manageable or comfortable living and financial security for when the time comes that they are no longer able. Spending 40-50+ years in inclement weather be it it rain or shine with the laborious routine to accomplish the job they have done right by themselves to stand firm.
Ken,
You sound like a disgruntled Demonrat.
Chiquita is owned by two Brazilian Conglomerates, CUTRALE GROUP, and SAFRA GROUP. Together they purchased Chiquita in 2014.
This entire article is FAKE NEWS.
What a reply, genius at work, maybe he/she is skinny and a Democrat, maybe it’s Pelosi, you can add old hag to your comment.
Bananas are the best bargain in the fruit section, and as we all know a banana a day keeps the morons away, try one Ken and go away.
First of all you know nothing about who runs Chiquita and to make a political yet racist comment like that you should be ashamed of yourself! Try using love and compassion in your thoughts you will be much happier in life.
Thats why YOU are a nobody.
Unions are good to a point, they get greedy after awhile and start making outlandish demands you only have to look at our unintions to see it
makes you think that the bosses are big fat Republicans?
Look at big fat billionaire Pritzker!
And here comes the politics 🙄
Yeah Ken, you just drive on down to Pamama and buy a bunch direct from a farmer. Your racist, classist comment reveals your ignorance.
Chiquita is Swiss company. Please do your research before making racist comments.
How RACIST of you.
This chiquita company needs to quit stealing this peoples natural resources we the world are aware of the pillaging that has happened for the last 100 years need to pay real wages and provide benefits instead of pocketing all the profits so some fat cat can have a privileged life style
Racist trope
They’re the best bananas ever!
I get them from Walmart.
Im 60years old. I ate them when I was younger. The other bananas doesn’t taste right, as if they cloned them.
I’m buying the rest today before work.
It’s not an American company!
The prople shouldTake over the land and start their own Banna company that is owed by everyone that works there.
Old news or recent news. Give the workers what is due to them. They should keep their earned pension. They have earned and worked for it. Take care of the people who made you Corporation. The workers made sacrifices beyond the living wages. In life we trust and help people, we should not help nor trust. The very people we should help and trust, we don’t. This theory applies to every human being on the planet.
Nobody here reads. Knee jerk reactions.
The Panamanian CONGRESS passed the LAW.
If you ever watch shark tank, the answer is, the Govt and Chiquita, like the sharks, have the connections to move the products or in this case, the bananas out of Panama. The workers are poor, no connections, and are simply employees with absolutly no resources to do anything but pick bananas.
Once again example of how corporations and governments have used and ruined people’s lives and only care about profits. Imagine a world where the workers profit and corporations operate at break even. Why should corporations profit only and not the workers who are the working backbone of all corporations. People would be much happier and crimewould probably disappear possibly.
Workers’ rights must be recognized. They ARE the company! Big bonuses for executives are never an issue, but pensions and salaries for employees who do the actual work, always seem to be. One disclaimer…I personally prefer Chiquita brand to all others!
I’d like to know what started the problem. What new laws did the the Panamanian government in act?
Bill, definitely agree with you comment. They need solutions not inflammatory comments. Hope these issues will be resolved satisfactorily. I have been to Panama, visited banana fields, hard work… They deserve compensations not hand outs.
These workers are striking in response to changes made by the Panamanian Congress to the national social pension plan. In the United States, traditional pension plans were largely replaced with 401(k) programs because of the long-term financial strain pensions placed on companies. The real issue here lies with government reform decisions that ultimately burden the people.
Everywhere, people should stand up for their rights and challenge government policies that harm citizens. Chiquita Banana is not to blame in this situation; the company is suffering alongside its employees, many of whom are being laid off as a result. It’s important to remember that these workers are not being dismissed or fired due to performance, but rather caught in the fallout of government decisions.
I’m willing to pay more than .69 USD per pound for bananas if it means some form of security for those Agricultural workers. Bananas are cheap!
I have visited a Chiquita banana plantation in Costa Rica. It is very hard back breaking work. I had a new respect with the bananas we take for granted and for the workforce who provide them. The workers deserve respect, and what there asking for. Chiquita co. Have gave them a way to support there families,in return they have gave this co. A good living as well. I pray they will be able to negotiate a reasonable contract that will benefit both sides.
Why is everyone blaming the company? the government and the unions are in dispute, the company loses millions of dollars and has to close, how is that the company’s fault?
Blame the government and the unions that caused the loss of jobs
Union needs to tone down. Strike is pushing the owners away. They are in business to profit and now be run by employees. They risk their investment. If the employees don’t like it, get a better job. Employees can request for better support but the bottom line is if you don’t like it, quit. That’s why union and government needs to be a peace keeper, not destroyer. People don’t invest millions to go under.
Bananas are one of Nature’s Miracle fruits and I pray and ask that in God’s care, may an agreement be made.
May the workers find a favor and receive what they need to have a prosperous and secure life; as they work with their hands… to benefit All Nations.
So, as the rivers of water are in the Lord and God’s hands… may he turn the hearts of these kings that rule over them. May they believe and give their people favor, security and understanding. May they all be blessed in Jesus Christ’s name I pray amen
So Chiquita is not an American company it has two majority owners in Brazil. And further it is a private company. So the headline well out of date is in fact bogus. Not an American company… It should probably be rewritten to reflect something like rich fat cats in Rio de Janeiro fire all the Panamanian workers.
This is old news but I’ll comment anyway. It’s my opinion that governments and corporations around the world, are working together to wipeout the middle class and create a worldwide underclass of impoverished workers. A worldwide slave class. Forced to work for nothing just to survive.
Those who can’t secure a position in this new slave labor class will become part of the growing mass of homeless people.
Wages are not keeping pace with inflation. Workers are losing healthcare, pensions and rights. Housing costs are spiraling out of control and homelessness is increasing.
Leading to a desperate massive worldwide underclass with no choice but to work for pennies.
There’s more of us than there is of them – by far. People have the power. It’s time for a revolt. It has happened before in history and it’s coming time again.
Every human being has the right to a secure and dignified life.
This company was part of the colonial infrastructure. They want all the profit while the gets nothing in return. People need reassurance of a life after hard work. I would like to know what did the company offer?
This reminds me of Boeing workers. The machinists can make up to 250k a year and still go on strike. But this one may be different. We need to hear both sides because this is not America Union.
Good! They will stop exploding civilians, bargaining their properties and interfering in central American governments, especially in Colombia.
The latest attempt to rescue the crisis has failed. Chiquita was making progress during the talks, but Union Leaders refused to remove the blockades until signed. The entire crop of Bananas was lost this year. Chiquita has closed down operations in Panama.
Unions are the problem. Unions are double faces, can not be trusted. Good workers don’t need Union, only the lazy, do. Get rid of your Union and back to work. Good luck, Panana – Banama
The banana companies have been cheating the workers for 100 years. They have supported crooked government officials and made sure the their profits out weighed worker benefits. The workers only ask for fair wages and care when they are to old to work and are sick. Let them leave so the workers can start collective farming and get some rewards for their labor. If the government is smart it will support the workers.
The old folks who took care of business has been kicked to the curb and businesses taken over by kids who want to rob the workers and line their own pockets. They know only how to take away from the workers. They don’t ever give.. Give the workers what they’ve earned.
Typical Trumplings.
Labors work very hard. The union, president and government need to stand with these people. Times are hard every where and they should not loose their pension. Give them what increase they want. They deserve the pay increase
What human being does not want security. Is money and power so Important to these companys that they would rather shut down than give the people that got them where they are today their fair share of the banana cream pie is not good business for anyone so figure it out Idiots, I need bananas for my cherios.
The government needs to step up and do whats right and whats humanitarian!!! These are people that are providing a critical fruit to the world!!! They are human beings with rights and livelihoods and families!!!!! We need them and so do you!!!! Please 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 do the right thing!!!! God bless them all!!!!!!!!
A fair wage and benefits would be better than destroying the industry. Get rid of the unions and let the government decide what needs to be done. I have lived in Panama and I have visited Bocas del Toro. On with the show. Get people back to work.