Minister’s flip flops upset Panama retirees
(newsroompanama.com) After verbal flip flops by Health Minister Franklin Vergara, Panama’s retirees are threatening to return to the streets.
Eladio Fernández, leader of the Independent Association of Retired Persons, said that if there is no movement on the proposal to raise pensions by $50, he would call for more protests . His remarks came at the Monday, November 8, celebration of the anniversary of the 1821 Las Tablas uprising against Spain.
The Minister of Health, also at the event referred to the issue and said the government does not have a firm plan in place to increase pensions. This contradicted widely published remarks he made two days before when he said that pensioners receiving up to $185 a month would receive increases of $80. Retirees who receive between $185 and $500 per month would see an increase of $50.
On Monday, Vergara said that the Ministry of Economy and Finance is expected to present a proposal to President Ricardo Martinelli for review. The buck stops there.
***********
Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: November 9, 2010.
