**Retired Bureaucrats and Teachers Unite Against ISSSTECALI Law Reform in Baja California**
A group of retired teachers and bureaucrats from across the state gathered outside the Executive Power Building to protest proposed changes to the ISSSTECALI Law. This demonstration comes in response to the government’s announcement of reforms that protesters fear could potentially infringe upon workers’ rights. On October 21, the retirees voiced their opposition on the steps of the Legislative Building, expressing their concerns through banners and signs.
Prominent figures in the movement include former bureaucrat union leader, Victoria Bentley Duarte, and educator representative, Adalberto Gutiérrez Ruiz. They criticize the authorities for holding workers accountable for omissions and misuses of funds that have led to significant debts forgiven using workers’ money, leaving ISSSTECALI in financial turmoil.
Gutiérrez Ruiz emphasized the group’s openness to dialogue and their willingness to increase contributions, provided that an external audit of ISSSTECALI is conducted to ensure transparency in financial allocation.
Bentley Duarte announced plans to propose a citizen-driven reform that would prevent the forgiveness of public entities’ debts, highlighting instances such as the Ensenada government’s billion-peso debt accumulation.
Furthermore, they questioned current union leaders for their lack of opposition to the project or failure to inform members about the potential impacts on workers. Bentley Duarte mentioned securing 800 tangible signatures and is working towards collecting more to pressure Congress into opening discussions and considering different opinions on the matter.
Joined by lawyer Guillermo Rivera, the group presented their proposed reform, addressing concerns like the payment of the technical reserve, the rights of retirees, and the reasons behind ISSSTECALI’s high expenditure on payroll management, which they argue should be handled by government entities.
**Related News: Protests Against Public Service Reforms Gain Momentum in Mexico**
In other regions of Mexico, similar protests are gaining traction as public service workers demand more transparency and accountability from the government regarding reforms impacting their rights. For instance, in Mexico City, government employees have been advocating for reforms to be more inclusive of worker input, urging officials to consider long-term impacts on the workforce’s financial security.
These movements reflect a broader trend in which public sector workers unite to retain their negotiated rights and ensure fair treatment amidst governmental changes, underscoring the importance of open dialogue and worker representation in decision-making processes.
Comments and discussions continue, as various stakeholders push for policy reforms that balance the interests of public workers with fiscal responsibilities.