Panama’s Labor Ministry presented a new internship model to the Chamber of Commerce, aiming to help young people move from school into formal work. The proposal highlights cooperation between government and business on youth employment.
Panama is moving ahead with its new internship law even as a constitutional challenge remains active. The government and business leaders say the plan aims to give young people experience and help ease unemployment.
Panama reported a 25% rise in new contracts in the first quarter of 2026, with commerce and construction leading hiring. The labor ministry also highlighted stronger youth employment programs and a push toward digitalization.
Panama’s Chamber of Commerce says the country’s labor challenge is to turn rising hiring into formal, stable, and productive jobs. It also called for closing the gap that keeps young workers out of the labor market.
Young Panamanians say the hardest part of finding work is getting that first chance, as employers demand experience and openings remain limited. Their concerns reflect broader labor-market pressures, including high informality and scarce formal jobs.
Panama City Hall is preparing a new job fair while also awarding scholarships to more than 100 young people. The initiatives point to a municipal push on employment and education support.
Panama has become the first Latin American country to regulate paid internships, but President José Raúl Mulino’s veto of a vocational guidance bill has exposed a gap in how young people are steered toward careers. The debate now centers on whether schools, universities, and the state will take shared responsibility for that transition.
Panama City has launched Nexus Lab, a digital training program that will provide more than 1,000 Platzi scholarships to young people. The initiative is designed to improve job access through tech-focused skills development.
Panama has introduced a new law regulating paid internships, addressing age eligibility, duration, remuneration and limits for employers. The measure aims to standardize internship practices and protect young workers.
Young Panamanians are being trained in digital tourism with a focus on AI and blockchain; TVN 2 reports 75% of participants were unemployed at the start, and the diplomado aims to boost job opportunities.
The Panama Chamber of Commerce said in its “Cámara opina” column that the Ley de pasantías is an important step to address young people’s lack of work experience and improve access to first jobs.
Panama’s new internship law, backed by the Cciap and signed by President José Raúl Mulino, provides $450 monthly stipends, insurance and certification to help young people gain work experience.
Panama’s president sanctioned Law 513 establishing paid internships with a $450 monthly subsidy for 18–25-year-olds, limits on placements, a one-year internship cap and fines for misuse.
President Mulino has sanctioned Law 513, creating $450 paid internships for Panamanians aged 18–25; the initial report confirms stipend and age range but provides no further program details.
President José Raúl Mulino signed Law 513 establishing a national paid internship program that offers monthly subsidies of B/.450 to eligible young Panamanians and sets rules, limits and oversight for participating employers.
President Mulino has sanctioned a law creating paid internships for Panamanian youth aged 18–25 from secondary, university, vocational or technical education, TVN 2 reported.
