Pensioners deprived in the land of plenty

The charismatic leader of Panama’s pensioners has filed a complaint with the American Court of Human Rights accusing the Martinelli government  of violating their rights.

During the run up to the election in 2009, President Ricardo  Martinelli promised to look after pensioners. The promise has ben repeated many times since the election and after repeated  unfulfilled promises of an increase  the pensioners returned to the streets.

Eladio Fernandez, President of the Association of Independent Retirees, accused the Government on Tuesday, July 5, of violating the rights of retirees and pensioners of the country and announced  the filing of the complaint with the Human Rights Court in  Costa Rica.

Some pesnioners receive as little as $50 a month beacuse their employers did not pay into the Social Security system, an abuse that continues with many domestic workers.

Fernandez  complained on Telemetro Reports of  the lack of drugs and delays in the obtaining appointments and getting prescriptions from  the Social Security Fund.

On Monday one  case was cited of a woman given an appoint for March of 2012.

The Minister of Health has said that doctors are the worst paid employees in the system, receiving $1,200 a month, and although discussion are underway, they cannot look for an increase before 2013 as budgets  have been set.

Fernandez said in Costa Rica, pensioners receiveincreases every two years and once they retire pay no more dues to the CSS.In Panama they pays dues until they die but can’t get the drugs they need he said.

Commentators point to Panama’s boast about having the fastest growing GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in Latin America) and the public perception that legislators are padding their wallets. https://www.newsroompanama.com/panama/3009-martinelli-campaign-slogan-boomerangs-enrichment-thrives-say-70.html