Amnesty International Urges Argentina to Uphold Pension Rights for the Elderly

Amnesty International has called on the Argentinian government to ensure adequate pensions for the elderly, stressing that the expiration of the pension moratorium and inaction may violate their rights under international law. The organization highlights potential adverse impacts on women and the informal labor market, as well as reactions including protests following government decisions.

Amnesty International has urged the Argentinian government to ensure adequate pensions for the elderly, following the expiration of a pension moratorium. The organization highlights that the government’s inaction could infringe upon older individuals’ rights under international law, potentially forcing them to work beyond the age of 65 and leaving them to seek inadequate means for survival.

Furthermore, Amnesty International noted that any failure to assure decent living conditions would disproportionately impact women, who are often more vulnerable in such scenarios. Specifically, Articles 9 and 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) affirm the right to social security and an adequate standard of living, respectively, which Argentina has ratified.

In 2023, Argentina’s National Congress enacted Law 27705, designed to offer pension moratoriums to individuals lacking the required 30 years of social security payments. This law was aimed at assisting people in rectifying their security debts to secure guaranteed pensions at retirement, a necessary step considering that over 47% of the labor market operates informally. Notably, a significant portion of informal workers, who generally lack protections, comprises women and girls.

Following the government’s refusal to extend the pension moratoriums, pensioners organized protests, some of which escalated into clashes with law enforcement. This unrest saw participation from young people and supporters of popular football clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate, leading to injuries among both citizens and police officers.

In summary, Amnesty International’s call for the Argentinian government to secure pensions for the elderly underscores the potential violation of human rights under international law. The expiration of the pension moratorium without proper measures can exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially among women. The legislative efforts via Law 27705 and the recent protests indicate the urgency of addressing pension inadequacies in Argentina.

Original Source: www.jurist.org