Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Panama increases minimum wage for various activities

Minimum Wage – Executive Decree Number 240, as of December 28, 2011


Executive Decree Number 240 dated December 28, 2011 by Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli establishes the minimum wage per hour, depending on the economical activity, occupation and size of the company in all the national territory.

The minimum wage rates for the two regions in which the territory is divided range from $1.22 to $2.36

The regions in which the territory is divided are as follows:

REGION 1: Panamá, Colón, San Miguelito, David, Santiago, Chitré, Aguadulce, Penonomé, Bocas del Toro, Chorrera, Arraiján, Capira, Chame, Antón, Natá, Las Tablas, Bugaba and Boquete


REGION 2: All the other Districts of the country

Small Business made reference to business with 10 or less full time employees in case of agricultural, cattle, services or retail commerce companies, 15 or less in case of manufacture companies and 20 or less in case of agro-industrial companies.

The monthly maid services will be paid as follow:

• Panamá, Colón, San Miguelito, David,
Santiago, Chitré, Aguadulce, Penonomé
Bocas del Toro, Chorrera, Arriaján, Capira
Chame, Antón, Natá, Las Tablas, Bugaba and
Boquete US$200.00

• All the other Districts of the country US$175.00

The decree is effective as of January 1, 2012.