Retirements: intersection between the candidates regarding a proposal to change the pension regime

The candidates Yamandu Orsi and Alvaro Delgado They had a counterpoint about the social security system during the presidential debate, where the referent of the Wide Front (FA) called to promote improvements in minimum pensions, while his contender National Party (PN defended the reform approved in the Parliament and launched: “Danilo Astori I would have supported her.”

“For those who receive minimum pensions, we propose two things: the first is that there be two increases per year so that they can grow above the rest. And I promise to return the 3% that was taken away every year when in the middle of the year it was given increased and was retained at the end of the year,” Orsi promised in an eventual government.

After the non-approval of the PIT-CNT plebiscite, he noted: “I am going to allow those who want to retire at age 60 to do so and make it clear: we are not going to repeal the AFAP. The citizens gave their approval and that must be fulfilled.”

“That does not mean that we do not have to review how our pension system is working, that we do not resolve the Professionals Fund well and that we do not have to pay attention to the fact that those who reach 60 and cannot continue cannot have the opportunity to retire. “he questioned.

Delgado’s response

On this point, Delgado warned: “Orsi says that the reform sent everyone to retire at age 65 and that is a lie. We cannot scare people. It is gradual and takes 25 years.” “Astori would share it,” he said, remembering the deceased former Minister of Economy of the FA, who highlighted that the change “was Uruguayan style, with social dialogue and very gradual,” which is why he asked for “intellectual honesty.”

Regarding minimum pensions, he stated: “We propose a solidarity supplement, which we can do because the plebiscite that was promoted by part of the FA did not come to fruition, which implied repealing the AFAP and confiscating the savings of Uruguayans.”

Youth unemployment

On the other hand, Orsi maintained that “without a doubt the most important social policy, and I learned that in Canelones, is the generation of jobs” and pointed out: “For that we have to get out of the stagnation that we are in, we need to grow so that the that those who are just starting out find a job opportunity; that those who work have a more decent salary; and for those who have worked all their lives and receive a retirement and pension.”

“A few hours ago, Axel was in the news, a boy who walked 40 kilometers to sign up for a job call. Unemployment among young people is at 26% and is the highest in the region. Therefore, we propose the creation of 12 thousand jobs per year for young people up to 24 years old and a dual education to train and work in companies,” he noted.

On this point, Delgado assured that the INE index on unemployment “is today almost two and a half points lower” and pointed out: “There is more work. We have policies with tax incentives for hiring. This is the path and we have to go deeper.” .

“The FA government destroyed 50,000 jobs in its last five years. This government, despite the crises, lowered taxes to generate employment. We have almost 100,000 more contributors in the BPS, four points less informality, the real salary almost and b 3% above 2019 and the highest in 49 years,” he boasted.

Pickets and strikes

In turn, Delgado highlighted the LUC sanction. “Opportunities, freedoms and rights were allowed for the employment relationship,” he highlighted about the norm and said that “it allows those who do not want to strike to work, prohibited occupations and prevented pickets that condition free movement.”

“I would like to know if Orsi wants to repeal it,” he asked what the FA candidate would do about it if he won the runoff and redoubled his bet. “People expect solutions, not permanent assemblies.”