**Tijuana City Government Clear of Debt to Issstecali: Mayor Burgueño Ruíz Confirms**
The Mayor of Tijuana, Ismael Burgueño Ruíz, has assured the public that the city is not in debt to the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers of Baja California (Issstecali). Despite reports indicating a pending amount of 151 million pesos as of October 23rd, the mayor emphasized that the city has not been notified of any reforms and maintains no outstanding balances with Issstecali.
Guillermo Aldrete Casarín, Secretary-General of the Bureaucrats Union, corroborated this by stating that Tijuana had settled its dues, with only the most recent two-week period pending, which he expected to be cleared soon after a meeting with the city’s chief administrative officer.
Meanwhile, Tijuana’s unionized firefighters have expressed their discontent over proposed state reforms that could potentially raise the retirement age to 68. They voiced concerns over the fairness of this measure through protests, emphasizing the physical demands and risks of their jobs.
Mayor Burgueño Ruíz acknowledged the protests and affirmed the city government’s respect for peaceful demonstrations, assuring that the administration will continue to engage constructively with concerned parties.
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**Further Developments on the Issstecali Reform Controversy**
The proposal to reform Baja California’s Issstecali system has sparked widespread protests not only in Tijuana but also in neighboring cities like Mexicali. Municipal and state workers, including firefighters, joined in a large-scale protest through a caravan to express their disapproval of the changes which they believe could negatively impact their rights and benefits.
The potential increase in retirement age was a focal point for the demonstrators, with many arguing that such changes could have dire effects on workers in physically demanding roles. Protesters have been vocal about wanting a comprehensive review of Issstecali’s finances before any reforms are finalized.
In response to the ongoing public reaction, state authorities have highlighted that the proposed reforms aim to ensure the sustainability of Issstecali and protect worker rights across the board, attempting to allay fears concerning the specific impacts on employee benefits.
As the dialogue continues, Tijuana officials are urging transparency and constructive discussions moving forward, ensuring the voices of all stakeholders are considered in any potential reformations.