The Pueblo Unido por la Vida alliance has announced a demonstration in Panama City, set to begin in over a week. The march will start at Belisario Porras Park and head to the National Assembly, where the government’s Social Security Fund (CSS) reform is under debate amid a financial crisis.
Unions and associations are calling for the reform document to be returned to the Executive for revisions, involving workers and private businesses in the process. They stress the need for adjustments based on majority input.
Workers, led by Marco Andrade from Conusi, oppose raising the retirement age and outsourcing CSS services, fearing privatization of the public institution serving retirees.
Fernando Ábrego of the Association of Teachers urges public participation in the march and suggests prosecuting key figures like CSS Director Dino Mon and Health Minister Fernando Boyd for conflicts of interest regarding the reform.
In the coming weeks, organizations will hold meetings and campaigns against the reform. Many advocates, including Eduardo Flores from the University of Panama, suggest solutions like combating tax evasion and improving CSS fund profitability without raising the retirement age.
