Discussions in the National Assembly about pension system reforms have raised concerns among various trade sectors in Panama. The debates have led to an alert from the medical and teaching sectors about the potential risks that retirees and workers in the country might face.
Dr. Julio Osorio from the National Negotiating Medical Commission (Comenenal) expressed his concern regarding the elimination of the three-year increase in the retirement age during the second debate in the Assembly. He emphasized that beyond the retirement age increase, the real issue lies in the implementation of individual accounts, which could result in insufficient pensions for citizens.
Osorio stressed the need for the government to assume its financial responsibility and contribute 2% of GDP to ensure the sustainability of the pension system. Additionally, he mentioned that compared to other countries, Panama should invest more in the pension system to ensure better retirement for its citizens.
On the other hand, Humberto Montero from the National Front of Independent Educators remained vigilant regarding possible reforms and rejected any measures that could negatively affect workers. He expressed his concern over the comments from the Deputy Minister of Health about the need to seek additional funds for pensions, considering that this could be a way of shifting the financial burden onto the Panamanian people.
The debate on the bill that modifies Law 51 of the CSS will continue in the National Assembly, while criticizing the evasion of contributions to the pension system by some business sectors. Montero emphasized the importance of maintaining the solidarity system and demanded greater transparency in the administration of the resources of the Social Security Fund (CSS).
