LatinNews Daily - 05 July 2024

*Uruguay’s umbrella trade union organisation Plenario Intersindical de Trabajadores-Convención Nacional de Trabajadores (PIT-CNT) has celebrated the 3 July announcement from the electoral court that the country will hold a referendum in October on social security reform, following the validation of the necessary signatures. The PIT-CNT, which spearheaded the initiative to hold the referendum, welcomed the decision with its president, Marcelo Abdala, calling it a day of “joy and recognition” and hailing the democratic process. The referendum will pose questions related to the elimination of private pension fund administrators (Afaps), lowering the retirement age to 60 (down from 65 following last year’s pension reform), and aligning minimum pensions with the national minimum wage. The referendum will take place on 27 October, concurrently with the country’s presidential elections. The presidential candidates for four of the parties in Uruguay’s ruling coalition - Guido Manini Ríos (Cabildo Abierto), Álvaro Delgado (Partido Nacional), Andrés Ojeda (Partido Colorado), and Pablo Mieres (Partido Independiente) - signed a joint agreement opposing the referendum, arguing it would harm the pension system and “confiscate savings”. The ruling coalition has also pressured the presidential candidate for the main left-wing Frente Amplio (FA) opposition coalition, Yamandú Orsi, to join their campaign against the referendum.

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