business

Church group may mediate cost of living talks

The Comité Ecuménico proposed mediating talks between unions and private enterprise regarding living costs.

The Comité and the Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores are concerned about the rising prices for basic foods.

The Comité Ecuménico, a non-denominational church association, might act as a mediator in negotiations between workers’ unions and private enterprise in their efforts to address the high cost of living throughout the country.

Alfredo Graell, a representative for the Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores, urged the business community to join them in seeking solutions to the high cost of living under the mediation of the Church and the Comité Ecuménico.

Pablo Morales, a Methodist bishop and president of the Comité Ecuménico de Panamá, said that every effort should made to improve the plight of the nation’s people and create a more equitable society.

“We don’t believe in celebrating economic growth when there is no real social justice, and when that growth remains in the hands of a few,” said Morales.

On July 4, the Conferencia Episcopal de Panamá expressed concern over the daily price increases for items in the basic food basket, a situation that Morales claims is made worse when there is no minimum wage increase.

The basic food basket for a family of four rose from $237.55 to $ 252.48 between December 2007 and this May.

Among essential food items in Panama’s basic food basket are rice, bread, fish and vegetable oil.