Summary.
The draft bill provides for the State to acknowledge its responsibility for the events of June 20–30, 2025, in the province of Bocas del Toro, with the aim of compensating people affected by the temporary suspension of constitutional guarantees for the harm they suffered. It creates an interinstitutional commission, attached to the Ministry of the Presidency–Government (Ministerio de la Presidencia-Gobierno), to evaluate the victims. Its members include representatives of the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas), the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral), the Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Ministerio de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial), the Ministry of Government (Ministerio de Gobierno), the Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social), the Social Security Fund (Caja de Seguro Social), the National Secretariat for Disability (Secretaría Nacional de Discapacidad) and the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo). A representative of the affected people, chosen by an absolute majority of them, and a representative of the Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia), who chairs the commission, also participate.
The interinstitutional commission would define social policies to mitigate the effects, monitor measures concerning health, housing, education, disability, social protection and employment matters, and conduct a census of the circumstances and needs of affected people and their families. The draft bill establishes a special lifetime pension of 700 balboas (B/.700.00) for victims, personal to them and nontransferable. If a victim dies, the spouse or cohabiting partner who lived permanently with the victim would receive 100% of the financial support. If there are children under 18, children aged 25 with verified university studies, or children with a permanent incapacity or disability for as long as that condition lasts, the spouse or cohabiting partner would receive 50%, and the children would share the other 50% equally. If there is no spouse or cohabiting partner, those responsible for the care and upbringing of those children would receive 100%; the shares of those who lose eligibility would be distributed among the remaining beneficiaries.
The text creates the Interinstitutional Medical Evaluation Commission (Comisión Interinstitucional Médica Evaluadora), comprising the Ministry of Health and the Social Security Fund, to assist and identify affected people and verify their condition through forensic medicine. The Interinstitutional Medical Evaluation Commission would recommend pension beneficiaries following the relevant medical assessments. Interested persons would have 3 months from the law’s entry into force to be evaluated. Based on the census, the Ministry of Housing and Land Management would facilitate access to housing or housing improvements; the Ministry of Social Development would facilitate assistance through its programs; and the National Secretariat for Disability would provide prostheses and other supplies.
The draft bill prohibits public institutions and private companies from reprimanding, suspending or dismissing affected workers because of reduced work capacity. It requires compliance with Law 11 of 2005 and Law 59 of 2005. The affected person or the designated responsible family member would submit a medical certificate or statement to the employer to account for an absence or late arrival, and the person’s status as a victim would be recorded in their employment file. The National Treasury would fund the entitlement and reimburse the Social Security Fund’s operating expenses; the Ministry of the Presidency would make funds available and arrange monthly payments through the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Social Security Fund as payment agent. The proposal concerns those public institutions and the health, housing, social assistance and employment sectors in the province of Bocas del Toro.
What it proposes.
- State acknowledgment and compensation measures for the events of June 2025 in the province of Bocas del Toro.
- Evaluation of affected people and a special lifetime pension.
- Family support, housing, social assistance and disability.
- Employment protection and funding of benefits.
Who it would affect.
- People affected by the events of June 20–30, 2025, in the province of Bocas del Toro.
- Spouses, cohabiting partners, children and persons responsible for care and upbringing as provided in the text.
- Public and private employers of affected workers.
- Public institutions responsible for evaluations, services and payments.
Key points.
- The State would acknowledge its responsibility for the events, and a commission comprising public institutions and representatives of affected people would be created to evaluate the victims.Arts. 1-2
- The commission would define social policies, oversee the proposed measures and conduct a census of affected people and their families.Art. 3
- Victims would receive a special lifetime pension of 700 balboas (B/.700.00), personal to them and nontransferable.Art. 4
- In the event of death, financial support would be distributed among the spouse or cohabiting partner and children who meet the stated conditions, or among those responsible for the children’s care and upbringing.Art. 5
- A medical commission would identify and evaluate affected people, verify their condition and recommend pension beneficiaries; interested persons would have 3 months from the law’s entry into force to be evaluated.Arts. 6-7
- The competent institutions would facilitate housing or housing improvements, assistance through social programs, prostheses and other supplies according to the needs identified.Arts. 8-10
- Reprimands, suspensions and dismissals due to affected workers’ reduced work capacity would be prohibited. A medical certificate or statement would be submitted, and their condition would be recorded in their employment files.Art. 11
- The National Treasury would fund the entitlement and the payment agent’s operating expenses; the proposed law would take effect on the day after its promulgation.Arts. 12-13