BRIEFS. real estate

Workers still operate on the edge of danger

VÍCTOR AROSEMENA/LA PRENSA

At risk: This picture, taken on Avenue A of the San Felipe district, shows a construction worker flaunting safety procedures.967233

Workers from the Sindicato Unico de los Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares (SUNTRACS) protested last July because of what they called "insufficient safety standards" in the Panamanian construction sector.

At that time, SUNTRACS official Saúl Méndez said that the deaths of 17 construction workers who died in work-related accidents during the first six months of 2007 were "negligent homicides" for which construction companies should be prosecuted and fined up to $100,000.

Yet, Panamanian construction workers are often seen defiantly risking their lives and disobeying security measures intended to protect them from accidents.

There are more than 400 active projects in the capital at this time, with an investment that exceeds $2 billion, according to the Ministerio de Trabajo. There are an estimated 100,000 construction workers in Panama City alone.