The workers’ representative pointed out that the government is aware that a social security reform needs “broad agreements” and from his point of view, a lot of time has been lost that could perfectly have been used to exchange views with all the actors involved in the company. society. “Consensus is not achieved in a short time because we are not willing to go to a mere formality of something that is not truly deep and serious. To reform social security, a deep dialogue is needed, and things cannot be resolved overnight.”
In reference to one of the central points that are under discussion based on the document of the experts appointed by the government, Ruiz affirmed that it will be very difficult for the Executive Branch to convince its people and the entire population that it is a great idea to work for more years and receive less retirement. “We all know that President Luis Lacalle Pou promised not to raise the retirement age for those who are working. Instead, he spoke of incentives for people who can to retire later. I agree with this proposal, because forcing all workers to work five more years, and also for less retirement, is nonsense.
In this regard, he explained that “in the countries where the retirement age was increased, unemployment increased and the vast majority of workers were left without income and without social protection. In this country, where it is very difficult to get a job at 45, where we have a weak labor market but which also expels older people, it is nonsense to think that raising the retirement age is the solution. A nonsense”.
“Let’s call for a social and political dialogue so that the reform is serious and deep, otherwise it will be a failure,” he stressed.
“AFAP? A nonsense”
Ruiz informed the Portal that the BPS transfers more than 3 million dollars per day to the AFAPs; “There are almost 1,150 million dollars per year that leave the orbit of the State and pass into the hands of private companies. These AFAPs profit and obtain profits with the contributions of the workers, but when pensions have to be paid, they withdraw from the business, leaving everything to the State Insurance Bank, which pays these benefits, at a loss. It is a perverse system that gives great profits to the private sector and great losses to the State, that is, to all Uruguayans. That the AFAP extend to all the boxes is nonsense, ”he lashed out.
