PANAMA CITY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - First Quantum

will reduce working hours at its suspended copper mine in Panama

as of next week, a leader of the mine's main labor union,

UTRAMIPA, said on Tuesday.

The work schedule at Cobre Panama will shift as of Aug. 15,

including overtime and Sundays getting cut, said union

representative Michael Camacho.

First Quantum declined to comment.

The Canadian company was forced to shutter the mine, once

one of the world's top copper sources, in November after

Panama's Supreme Court declared its contract unconstitutional

following protests.

About 1,200 people work at the mine, including security,

administrative and maintenance roles, so the mine can be safely

maintained while not actively in use.

The closure left First Quantum with financial issues that

led it to undertake a series of debt restructuring measures.

The UTRAMIPA union, which represents more than 500 workers,

said in a statement it opposed the reduced schedule, noting the

changes were announced without warning and without explanation

from management.

"We regret that the company is taking these actions against

the workers," Camacho said. "Our situation is difficult."

The union requested a meeting with First Quantum to discuss

the matter, he said.

Panama's recently elected President Jose Raul Mulino said

last month that the government will not address issues around

the mine until early next year.