Panamanian police disperse protesters
Associated Press
PANAMA CITY, Panama
- Riot police in Panama City fired tear gas and
rubber bullets to disperse people throwing bottles and rocks
during a protest by an estimated 10,000 workers and students
against proposed changes in the country's pension system.
Protests over the last three days against the reforms - which
would raise the retirement age for men from 62 to 65, and for
women from 57 to 62 - have resulted in the arrest of about 240
adults and the temporary detention of some students, police
reported.
Wednesday's confrontation came at the end of a largely
peaceful march that brought thousands of demonstrators to a
square near the congressional building.
Vice president Samuel Lewis Navarro called the incident
regrettable, but noted "talk about withdrawing (the
proposed reforms) is just not in the realm of reality."
Protesters said the issue is one of fairness.
"I'm already getting a pension, but I have children and
siblings who will have to wait longer to retire," said
teacher Mirla Diaz, 57, "That's not fair, and we hope
everyone will support us."
The reforms must still be approved by Congress.
The government argues that the system will run out of money
to pay retirees within seven years if nothing is done.
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