TITLE: Retired Pensioners Enter Ninth Day Of Hunger Strike

AUTHOR:

PUB: Andean Information Network

DATE: MAY 4, 2001

Over 3000 retired pensioners continue a hunger strike to protest the Banzer government’s lack of compliance with the Patamaya agreement, which would raise pensions from a current average of 45 dollars to approximately 120 dollars per month. The agreement, signed by the Executive Branch of the government on March 21st of this year, promised to modify the current pension law (within ten days) in order to allow for the implementation of proportional increases in pensions for some sectors, to a minimum amount of 850 Bs. per month (about US$120). After reviewing the agreement, the lower house of the Bolivian Congress claimed it is unable to approve the modification of Article 57 of the law which allows for the recently established increases. As hunger and tension have increased, strikers have resorted to more drastic measures in order to be heard. Yesterday a dozen pensioners participated in mock crucifixions in Cochabamba’s central plaza. They stated that later today elderly female pensioners would do the same. Strikers in La Paz have adopted a similar strategy. Medical Officials Express A Growing Concern For Strikers Health 81 striking pensioners have had to withdraw from the hunger strike due to severe health problems. Medical personnel recorded incidents of severe headaches, stomach and liver problems and cases of extreme confusion and dizziness primarily among elderly members of these groups. Nevertheless, the majority of the hunger strike participants are continuing their crusade at all costs as the majority of them feel they have little to lose. Hunger strike participant, Carlos Medina, spoke for many when he recently proclaimed, ¨We continue [to strike] because we would rather starve to death here in protest than in our homes.¨ (AIN translation) Patacamaya Agreement Generates Divisions Between Bolivian Pensioners Professor Eliseo Bilbao Ayaviri, executive secretary of Cochabamba’s retired teachers’ group has stated that his retired teachers are not in agreement with the March 21st accord to allow for proportional increases, as they fear their pensions will be reduced. However, they do support the strikers´ demands for a sector-wide increase of a minimum 850 Bs. per month, provided that there are no decreases in the pensions of other sectors. This situation demonstrates a lack of understanding between the different groups of pensioners as the original agreement did not call for decreases in the pensions of some sectors as a result of the proposed increase in others. Congress members are still trying to pass the amendment which will allow for the proportional increases in pensions, but due accusations that the law is unconstitutional the process has been prolonged. The Catholic church is also currently involved and urging congress members to work quickly to resolve the situation so that the hunger strike may come to an end. END top