Retired Pensioners Enter Ninth Day Of Hunger Strike

AIN ACTION ALERT - MAY 4, 2001
RETIRED PENSIONERS ENTER NINTH DAY OF HUNGER STRIKE
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.

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