New withdrawal of 10% from AFP: Executive rejects initiative and warns that 20% of affiliates withdrew everything, but pro-government deputies have not yet defined their position

A new withdrawal of 10% of the AFPs is what began to be seen this Wednesday in the Constitution Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. At the request, the Minister of Labor, María José Zaldívar, rejected the proposal and pointed out that “due to the effects of the first withdrawal of funds, it would be extremely regressive, it is absolutely in contradiction to what is being dealt with, which is to strengthen the pension system, and it would generate serious problems that I believe are not being analyzed in a harmonious and comprehensive way ”.

Despite the criticism of the minister, from the ruling party there are deputies who do not rule out supporting the project. For example, Congressman Diego Schalper (RN) commented: “I opposed the first withdrawal for two reasons. One because it seemed to me that the funds that had to pay for the crisis were those of the state and not those of the workers. And second, because all the information we received tended to say that a tremendous disaster was going to take place here. As neither of these two things happened, regarding this second withdrawal I declare myself open to evaluating it, and along with that, also, it seems to me that we could take advantage of doing something more extensive.

In that sense, he explained that perhaps it could “advance in a second withdrawal, but at the same time to advance in approving the pension reform.”

Deputy Andrés Celis (RN) pointed out that “as a person and legislator, I cannot refuse, at least, to debate the idea of ​​legislating when we are in the middle of a pandemic and in a context of exceptionality.”

For his part, Deputy Eduardo Durán (RN) said that he is in reflection and that his vote will be based on the response that the government will deliver to solve the economic situation of families affected by the crisis.

Deputy Sofía Cid (RN) stated that she would be willing to support this second withdrawal of funds, but “we must carefully review what will come out of the Constitution Commission (…). But making it clear that this measure yes or yes reduces the pensions of retirees, therefore, I urge the Senate to speed up the discussion and approval of the pension reform.

For her part, the Minister of Labor in the Commission this Wednesday pointed out that this initiative “will have an impact that will be limited, considering that to date, 9,148,000 people have already withdrawn pension funds, and of this total, 20% it has already withdrawn all of its funds, but we have about 65% of affiliates of these 9 million, who withdrew, if not all its resources, well more than 10% of its funds. This means that we have a standard that is not necessarily going to meet the objective ”.

He commented that “we have to continue advancing in a pension reform that ensures better pensions, we believe that this is the main objective at this minute.”

At the same time, the opposition senators rule out having been summoned by the government to a meeting for the reform, and insist that it is the Executive that must rule on their proposal.

“I think the government has to make its proposal. The central question is how much pensions increase, and with the formula we propose, better benefits are generated. If the government has a better one, let us present it and we will talk, but it seems rather that it is entangling the public discussion so as not to take charge of the reform ”, commented Senator Carolina Goic (DC).