Construction worker strike halts Panama Canal construction

A nationwide strike by construction workers demanding annual salary hikes of at least 20 percent brought work on a major Panama Canal expansion project to a standstill on Wednesday, reported the international media.

SeaTrade Global reported that an indefinite strike was called nationwide by the main construction union in the country, the Construction Workers’ National Union (Suntracs), demanding wage increases.

Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), the consortium running the expansion project, was quoted by AFP news agency as saying that Suntracs workers "are heeding the call to strike," which "is impacting the work schedule of this project." The expansion of the canal has already been delayed by 14 months. The delay in the planned expansion of the Panama Canal is estimated to be costing the country $300 million per year.