Violent protests across Nicaragua leave 10 dead as students condemn pension reforms
The changes, which went into effect on Wednesday, apply a 5 per cent tax to old-age and disability payments and increase the contributions paid by both employees and employers
Violent protests against a proposed change to Nicaragua’s pension system have left at least 10 people dead over two days, the government said Friday.
In the biggest protests in President Daniel Ortega’s 11 years in office in this poor Central American country, people are angry over the plan because workers and employers would have to chip in more toward the retirement system.
The government is willing to hold a dialogue and Ortega will issue a formal call on Saturday, Vice President Rosario Murillo said, adding: “At least 10 compatriots have died.”
Demonstrations rocked the capital Managua and nearby cities for a third day.
The new law, besides increasing employer and employee contributions, would cut the overall pension amount by five per cent.