Country position: What a country want to argue for in international meetings

1.​ Research the following:

-​ Country Programs addressing the issue

-​ Events the country has participated in regarding the issue

On April 6, 2023, over 150 migrant domestic workers, primarily women from various

nationalities, participated in an information services fair and job orientation day in

Panama. The event was organized by the National Directorate of Employment of the

Ministry of Labour and Professional Development (MITRADEL) with support from the

International Organization for Migration (IOM). The fair aimed to prevent labor

exploitation, protect human and labor rights, and promote decent work for all domestic

workers. Government entities, civil society organizations, and strategic partners

collaborated to provide information on migration status, risks of trafficking, access to

health services, labor rights, and ethical recruitment practices. The initiative is part of

ongoing efforts to strengthen ethical recruitment and protect migrant workers' rights in

Panama.

APA Citation:

International Organization for Migration. (2023, April 6). Migrant domestic workers

participate in labour exploitation prevention and employment orientation fair.

https://panama.iom.int/en/news/migrant-domestic-workers-participate-labour-exploita

tion-prevention-and-employment-orientation-fair

In September 2018, leaders from 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean met

in Panama City and agreed to work together to make life better for everyone. They

promised to help people who are poor, especially Indigenous and Afro-descendant

communities, by making sure everyone has access to things like healthcare, education,

and jobs. They also want to stop unfair treatment and make sure all people are treated

equally. This plan is part of a bigger goal to make the world a better place by the year
2030.

APA Citation:

United Nations Development Programme. (2018, September 13). "Declaration of

Panama" reaffirms Latin America and the Caribbean officials' commitment to reduce

inequalities.

https://www.undp.org/latin-america/press-releases/declaration-panama-reaffirms-latin

-america-and-caribbean-officials-commitment-reduce-inequalities

-​ Agreements the country has made regarding the issue

Costa Rica and Panama signed an important agreement to protect the rights of

migrant workers, including Indigenous people like the Ngäbe and Buglé communities.

The two countries will work together to make sure migrants are treated fairly, can

access health care, education, and are protected from bad working conditions and

human trafficking. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) helped make this

agreement happen.

APA Citation:​

International Organization for Migration. (2018, September 21). Costa Rica, Panama

sign ground-breaking agreement to protect rights of migrants.

https://www.iom.int/news/costa-rica-panama-sign-ground-breaking-agreement-protec

t-rights-migrants
 -​ Reports issued by the country’s officials on the issue

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report about workers' rights in

Panama. The report found that Panama has laws to protect workers, like rules about fair

pay, safe workplaces, and the right to join unions. However, sometimes these laws are

not followed well. For example, some workers, like those in temporary jobs or special

work zones, don't always get the same protections. The report suggests that Panama

needs to do a better job making sure all workers are treated fairly and that their rights

are respected.

APA Citation:

U.S. Department of Labor. (2011, September). Republic of Panama Labor Rights Report.

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/research_file_attachment/panama_LRR.pdf

-​ Country facts

-​ Government websites

1.​ Topic background:

-​ Research about the topic at hand: what is it?

-​ Why is it important?

-​ What is the history behind the topic?

-​ Why should it be debated?

Many of the things we buy every day are made by people in other countries around
the world. This is called a "supply chain" - it's like a long chain that connects the people
who make things to the stores where we buy them. Sometimes the people who make
our stuff aren't treated nicely. Some problems include:

Workers don't get paid enough money to buy food and take care of their families

Some factories are not safe, and workers can get hurt
Children have to work instead of going to school and playing

Now, companies make things all over the world. Your shoes might be made in one
country, your backpack in another, and your pencils in a third country. This can be
good because it gives people jobs, but sometimes companies only care about making
things cheap and don't think about whether workers are happy and safe. : Even as kids,
we can learn about this issue and help our families make good choices about what to
buy. When we grow up, we might work for companies or governments and can help
make things better.

1.​ Country policy: The actual rules and laws that a country has

-​ Research your country’s position.

-​ What has your country already done?

-​ What are the laws relating to your topic?

In September 2018, leaders from 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries met in

Panama City and agreed to work together to make life better for everyone. They

promised to help people who are poor, especially Indigenous and Afro-descendant

communities, by making sure everyone has access to things like healthcare, education,

and jobs. They also want to stop unfair treatment and make sure all people are treated

equally. This plan is part of a bigger goal to make the world a better place by the year

2030.

By signing the Pact (Ministerial Pact Against Labour Exploitation and the Protection of

Human Dignity ) leaders also created a plan to stop people from being treated unfairly
at work. Business leaders, workers, schools, the government, and the public are all

asked to learn how to stop this kind of unfair treatment. The goal is to make sure all

workers — especially migrants — have safe jobs and are treated with respect.
APA Citation:

United Nations Development Programme. (2018, September 13). "Declaration of

Panama" reaffirms Latin America and the Caribbean officials' commitment to reduce

inequalities.

https://www.undp.org/latin-america/press-releases/declaration-panama-reaffirms-latin

-america-and-caribbean-officials-commitment-reduce-inequalities

Panama has rules to protect workers and nature. Big building projects must follow these

rules. Panama also uses special guidelines (called ISO 26000) to help companies be kind

to people and the environment. Some business groups in Panama give awards to

companies that do good things for their communities and the Earth.

U.S. Department of State. (2019, October 13). Panama - Corporate social responsibility.

https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-investment-climate-statements/panama/

-​ What is your country planning on doing?

The government signed agreements to monitor work conditions, give access to

health care and education, and fight human trafficking.

-​ What does your country think about the subject?

Panama thinks that migrant workers deserve protection and respect. That’s why

it has created laws and joined programs - with CR-to make sure all workers,

including Indigenous and foreign workers, have their rights respected.

-​ Who are your allies and how can you use them
Panama’s allies include:

Costa Rica, which signed a joint agreement with Panama to protect migrant

workers.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which helps Panama make

better laws and support safe migration.

UN organizations like the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), which

support Panama’s plans to reduce inequality.

-​