DBAWaiverPanama2025-04

U. S. Department of Labor

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Division of Longshore and
Harbor Workers’ Compensation
200 Constitution Avenue, Room C-4319
Washington, DC 20210

WAIVER ISSUED UNDER SECTION 1651(e) OF THE DEFENSE BASE ACT

Issue Date:
Expiration Date:
Waiver Type:
Country:
Waiver Number:

May 6, 2025
May 5, 2030
General
Panama
2025-04

A.
Authority
The Defense Base Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1651(e), permits the Secretary of Labor, in the exercise of her discretion, upon the recommendation of the head of any department or other agency of the United States, to waive the application of the Defense Base Act with respect to any contract, subcontract or subordinate contract, work location under such contracts, or classification of employees.
B.
Scope of Waiver
This waiver of the Defense Base Act applies to:
1. The classification of employees set forth in Section C below 2. All contracts, subcontracts or subordinate contracts; 3. All agencies of the United States;
4. Work to be performed at any location within the country specified above; 5. Work which would have otherwise been covered by the Defense Base Act. C.
Classification of Employees
All employees covered under “COMPULSORY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWS” of the country specified above.
The term “COMPULSORY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWS” means laws which provide at least for compulsory payment by an employer of compensation and medical benefits for an accidental injury (including occupational disease and death), arising out of or in the course of employment, to employees or their survivors without payment for or contribution to the cost of the insurance or benefits by the employee and without reduction for the employee’s fault. The benefits for such injuries may not exclude any cause, including but not limited to injury or death resulting from war, hostilities, terrorist acts, or nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological exposure or contamination. If third country nationals (non-citizens of the country named above) are hired, the benefits must not cease if the employee is repatriated.
D.

Conditions of Waiver
1. This Waiver does not apply to any employee who:
a) Is a citizen of the United States of America; or,
b) Is a lawful resident of the United States of America; or, c) Was hired in the United States of America.

2. This waiver covers only those employees who are covered under the laws of the country specified above relating to compulsory employer provided accidental injuries, illnesses and