Role and challenges of conciliation and decision board no. 10 in labor dispute resolution in David, Chiriquí

Abstract

The study evaluated the role and main challenges of Conciliation and Decision Board No. 10 in resolving labor disputes in the district of David, Chiriquí province, during 2024. A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, and cross-sectional study was conducted, supplemented by a document review. The accessible population consisted of 56 participants directly involved in the procedure: 18 officials and 38 users, recruited through a census. Two structured questionnaires with closed-ended questions were administered, and the data were processed using absolute frequencies and percentages. The analysis related the disputes to the institutional experience and the assessments expressed by the participating groups. The data from institutional records for the first seven months of this year revealed that out of the total 2,259 disputes resolved, wrongfully dismissed cases made up 2,099 or 92.9%. Out of the number of officials surveyed, 77.8% stated that agreements are honored in due time. Nevertheless, 55.6% of respondents said that there are no written protocols presently in place. As for the users’ feedback, the data showed that 84.2% rated their experience with the Board positively or very positively, with the agreements reached satisfying 71.1% and 76.3% of people expressing willingness to use conciliation services again. These data show, therefore, that the Board is a good way to access labor justice and that it can resolve disputes effectively. However, the improvement of work of the Board requires the integration of uniform procedures, enlargement of prelitigation consultations, benefits in perception of neutrality, practice of applying hybrid hearings, as well as development of tools for electronic verification of agreement compliance.