The National Federation of Departments (FND) expressed his disagreement with the decision adopted by the Ministry of Finance through the General Directorate for Economic Regulation of Social Security, which establishes the temporary suspension of all withdrawal requests for the payment of pension bonds with resources from the National Pension Fund of Territorial Entities (FONPET), as of April 11, 2023.
In a letter addressed to Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo, the FND, which brings together the 32 departments of the country, states that the decision adopted lacks any justification or explanation for the territorial entities, who are the subjects directly involved with the effects of the measure.
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The decision was communicated through circular letters issued on April 4, 2023, which according to the FND they only invoke the Law 549 of 1999 in general and demands the territorial entities assume with their own resources the payment of the pension liability, ignoring what is established in the same article 3 of said law.
The FND argues that the suspension of withdrawals ordered by the Ministry of Finance jeopardizes the guarantee of the fundamental right to social security and protection of the population subject to these payments.
The Federation also emphasizes that On January 31, 2023, the General Director of Economic Regulation of Social Security established the calendar for the payment of pension obligations during this year, on which the territorial entities carried out the respective planning.
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The suspension of FONPET withdrawals would affect the execution of this calendar and would leave the territorial entities in a difficult situation to meet their pension obligations.
The FND concludes its letter requesting the Minister of Finance and Public Credit to reconsider the decision to suspend FONPET withdrawals and that a clear and substantiated justification for said measure is provided.
