Venezuelan pensioners demand income be prioritized in government-opposition talks

A Venezuelan group representing pensioners, retirees, and the elderly has urged the opposition to make increasing meager pensions a top priority in its negotiations with the government. The Committee for Human Rights for the Defense of Pensioners, Retirees, the Elderly, and People with Disabilities formally requested that the opposition delegation incorporate a progressive pension increase into the dialogue agenda.

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The official allocation currently, equivalent to 17 cents of a dollar per month complemented by government bonuses, is insufficient and has led to severe consequences within the group.

During a meeting with opposition leader Dinorah Figuera, the group presented a report denouncing what they called the "systematic violation of human rights" against this vulnerable sector in Venezuela. Edgar Silva, the committee's national coordinator, highlighted that the current official pension, equivalent to just 17 U.S. cents per month plus government bonuses, is woefully insufficient. This has led to severe consequences, including "deaths due to malnutrition," Silva stated, condemning the elderly to "extreme poverty."

"It is not fair that they now have to survive on the help of relatives who have emigrated, generous friends, NGOs, and religious institutions," Silva said, emphasizing that these individuals paid into social security for a dignified retirement. The organization proposed raising pensions and the minimum wage to align with the cost of a family food basket, estimated at $756 for a five-person household, and eventually cover other essential goods and services.

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Elderly people are condemned to extreme poverty and there have been deaths due to malnutrition because of economic precariousness.

Furthermore, the committee suggested establishing a special pension fund, directly supported by oil export revenues. They cited the recent uptick in oil activity, influenced by the easing of U.S. sanctions and renewed diplomatic ties between Caracas and Washington, as an opportunity to bolster this fund. The request comes as the first round of talks between the government and a faction of the opposition, comprising legislators from the 2015 period, is underway.

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It is not fair that they now have to survive on the help of relatives who have emigrated, generous friends, NGOs, and religious institutions and others that offer humanitarian aid.