A Panamanian labor court opened proceedings on Friday, April 10, 2026, in a historic case that seeks the judicial dissolution of a major national union. The lawsuit, filed by the government’s Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Panama), targets the Single Union of Construction Workers and Similar Industries (Suntracs).
Judge Rafael Antonio Pinzón Vásquez of the First Labor Court convened the hearing at the Edison Center in Panama City. The case represents an unprecedented legal challenge against one of the country’s most influential labor organizations.
Court Seeks Agreement, Parties Opt for Trial
Judge Pinzón opened the session by urging both sides to consider settling the dispute outside of court. He specifically recommended exploring alternative dispute resolution methods. Both legal teams rejected that path immediately.
The ministry’s legal representative, attorney María Fábrega, declined the judge’s suggestion. Suntracs’ defense lawyer, Dr. Rolando Murgas Torraza, also refused to pursue an out-of-court settlement. This clear rejection set the stage for a contentious and likely prolonged trial.
“The parties have been exhorted to explore the possibility of reaching an agreement through alternate conflict resolution methods,” Judge Pinzón stated during the opening. [Translated from Spanish]
With mediation off the table, the hearing moved directly into the evidence presentation phase. Both sides submitted testimonial, documentary, and other forms of evidence beyond what was initially filed with the lawsuit and its response.
Evidence and Witness Lists Scrutinized
Legal teams for the ministry and the union spent considerable time objecting to the evidence presented by their opponents. Each party had to justify the relevance and admissibility of their submitted materials. The judge carefully noted all objections for future rulings.
A significant development emerged regarding witness testimony. The defense team for Suntracs, led by rolando murgas torraza, agreed to review its extensive witness list. That list currently contains 52 names, a number the court indicated might be problematic.
Panama’s Labor Code imposes strict limits on witnesses. Article 837 allows only four witnesses per fact that needs proving. The union’s legal team must now pare down its list to comply with this procedural rule before testimonies begin.
Judge Pinzón, coordinating with both legal teams, established the trial’s next critical date. The ministry, as the plaintiff, will present its first witnesses on Friday, April 24, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. This phase will allow the government to substantiate its claims against the union directly.
Origins of a High-Stakes Legal Battle
This judicial process started on July 17, 2025. The Minister of Labor and Workforce Development formally filed the dissolution lawsuit at that time. The ministry’s core allegation centers on purported violations of the nation’s labor laws.
While the specific alleged violations were not detailed in the opening hearing, the case’s very existence sends shockwaves through Panama’s labor movement. Suntracs has been a powerful voice for construction workers for decades, often negotiating national wage agreements and advocating for safety standards.
The union’s dissolution would represent a dramatic reshaping of labor relations in Panama’s critical construction sector. Industry analysts are watching the case closely, noting its potential impact on major projects and workforce stability.
The court has not provided an estimated timeline for the trial’s conclusion. Legal experts anticipate a lengthy process given the complexity of the charges and the volume of evidence. Both sides appear prepared for a protracted fight with no indication of seeking a settlement in the near future.