Unanimously, the united commissions of Constitutional Points, Legislative Studies and Welfare of the Senate, approved with 39 votes reforms to articles 4 and 27 of the Political Constitution, to lower the age for older adults to receive a pension from 68 to 65 years and, to establish a non-contributory pension for people with permanent disabilities under 65 years of age.
Furthermore, the modifications They elevate the “Sembrando Vida” program to constitutional status and include the continuity of guaranteed prices for corn, beans, rice, milk and wheat, as part of social programs dedicated to peasant and fishermen products.
The State must provide a secure, fair and permanent wage to farmers who plant fruit trees, timber and processed species and guarantee the rehabilitation of people with permanent disabilities, primarily those under 18 years of age.
The opinion indicates that the State must allocate sufficient resources year after year to comply with the provisions of Article 4 of the Constitution, relating to pensions for adults over 65 years of age and over and people with permanent disabilities. The amount of resources may not be reduced in real terms.
Morena Senator Andrea Chávez, president of the Welfare Commission, said that these reforms represent a fundamental step in the promotion, recognition and protection of the dignity of those historically marginalized social groups that today receive protection from the Mexican State.
“It constitutes an important advance to build a fraternal, fair and dignified Mexico for all, so that no one has to worry about having an adequate roof, so that no person with disabilities faces the challenges of daily life alone, so that older adults stop living in uncertainty, and so that the peasants, farmers and fishermen who nourish our lands and waters receive the recognition that deserves them for their work.”
Amalia García, from Movimiento Ciudadano, recognized that what is required is a welfare State that guarantees the rights of all people, that is, not a State that guarantees resources, programs, projects and public policies with a clientelistic vision nor a vision of philanthropy.
“If it is a vision of rights, we start from the conception of rights. People, human beings have rights and the State has the obligation to guarantee those rights. Without a doubt the General Constitution of the Republic is an essential document for that this vision of rights is guaranteed”.
PAN member Ricardo Anaya advanced his party’s vote in favor of the reforms.
“And we are convinced that it is an act of justice, both the pension for people with disabilities, the pension for older adults, and of course the support for producers, fishermen and fishermen.”
The opinion was sent to the Board of Directors for presentation to the Plenary of the Upper House.
