Comments on: Not-So-Cheap Labor, Part 2 http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/not-so-cheap-labor-part-2/ Life in a Small Pueblo in Panamá Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:06:44 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: joycepa http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/not-so-cheap-labor-part-2/#comment-203 joycepa Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:47:01 +0000 http://joycepa.wordpress.com/?p=139#comment-203 Hi, La Gringa, Yes, we have the 13th month here--but it depends on whether or not someone is hired full-time and for what jobs. Many situations are not covered by that particular aspect of the law. For instance, domestic labor seems not to be covered. I have myself not bothered to work out what the law is but depend on my lawyer to tell me what I need to do. She at one time specialized in labor law and is the one who calcualated what we owed when we fired our first jardinero. I get around it by giving a "bonus" at christmas, which is a full month's wages plus a little extra. I'm going to post your Comment separately so that ohters can take a look at the site. Thanks! Joyce Hi, La Gringa,

Yes, we have the 13th month here–but it depends on whether or not someone is hired full-time and for what jobs. Many situations are not covered by that particular aspect of the law. For instance, domestic labor seems not to be covered. I have myself not bothered to work out what the law is but depend on my lawyer to tell me what I need to do. She at one time specialized in labor law and is the one who calcualated what we owed when we fired our first jardinero.

I get around it by giving a “bonus” at christmas, which is a full month’s wages plus a little extra.

I’m going to post your Comment separately so that ohters can take a look at the site.

Thanks!

Joyce

]]> By: La Gringa http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/not-so-cheap-labor-part-2/#comment-202 La Gringa Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:40:33 +0000 http://joycepa.wordpress.com/?p=139#comment-202 One reason that wages seem lower than they actually are is that people don't consider the "13th month" and "14th month" and the prestaciones (severance pay) that we have in Honduras. It is part of the pay and shouldn't be a surprise, but it often is. I don't know if you have those benefits in Panama. A really good site where you can calculate an employee's benefits is here: http://www.leylaboral.com/ I've only looked at Honduran laws, but I think it covers all of Central America. One reason that wages seem lower than they actually are is that people don’t consider the “13th month” and “14th month” and the prestaciones (severance pay) that we have in Honduras. It is part of the pay and shouldn’t be a surprise, but it often is. I don’t know if you have those benefits in Panama.

A really good site where you can calculate an employee’s benefits is here:

http://www.leylaboral.com/

I’ve only looked at Honduran laws, but I think it covers all of Central America.

]]> By: joycepa http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/not-so-cheap-labor-part-2/#comment-193 joycepa Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:04:59 +0000 http://joycepa.wordpress.com/?p=139#comment-193 Basically, Miconia, you have neither insight nor soul if you can't see the connections! Nice try, but I know who skulks under that innocent name! joyce Basically, Miconia, you have neither insight nor soul if you can’t see the connections!

Nice try, but I know who skulks under that innocent name!

joyce

]]> By: miconia http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/not-so-cheap-labor-part-2/#comment-192 miconia Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:02:01 +0000 http://joycepa.wordpress.com/?p=139#comment-192 So, let's see...the dog leap-frogging the sheep in the picture underlines exactly which premise? Cool, though. 8) So, let’s see…the dog leap-frogging the sheep in the picture underlines exactly which premise?

Cool, though. 8)

]]>