[Marxism] BOLIVIA: Approval of state pension for the elderly celebrated

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

GRANMA INTERNATIONAL
Havana.  November 29, 2007

Approval of state pension for the elderly celebrated in Bolivia
o Opposition resorts to strikes and violence

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/noviembre/juev29/49vitalicio-i.html 

LA PAZ, November 27.- A crowd gathered in the city's Plaza Murillo on
Wednesday joyfully welcomed the Bolivian Senate's unanimous approval
of a state pension to support the elderly, and titled "Dignity."

Approval of state pension for the elderly celebrated in BoliviaThe
president of the legislature, Alvaro García publicly announced the
provision of a universal monthly benefit of 200 bolivianos for every
citizen over 60 years of age.

The crowd, waiting since Tuesday, also celebrated the decision to
finance the subsidy with 30% of resources coming from the Direct
Hydrocarbons Tax (IDH), income that the traditional parties are
refusing to give out. Their call for a work stoppage in six regions
was condemned today by the Bolivian government, legislators of the
Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) Party and several governors.

The population has opposed efforts to divide the country being
promoted by the Bolivian right wing and have increased demonstrations
against the strike, despite threats by provocateurs financed by the
opposition.

In Cochabamba residents registered their support for the innovative
administration of President Morales and came out with picks and
shovels to clean the streets littered by functionaries of the
governor with piles of dirt and nails in an act of sabotage.

Even in the southeastern province of Santa Cruz, epicenter of the
political opposition, there have been demonstrations against the
blocking of streets and threats from groups of extremists.

In the meantime, the government has issued a presidential decree
awarding land to the indigenous Guarani community in the central
province of Chuquisaca.

The law assures these communities' physical sustenance and ethnic
survival, in addition to abolishing instances in which Guarani
families are held in conditions of servitude by large landowners in
the region, reported Prensa Latina.

Translated by Granma International


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