The Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional reform to reduce the age for elderly people to receive a pension from the State from 68 to 65 years and to grant a non-contributory pension to permanently disabled individuals under 65 years. The bill was approved with changes by a qualified majority of 408 votes in favor, 65 against, and zero abstentions, and was sent to the Senate for discussion and approval.
One of the constitutional reforms presented by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on February 5 was mandated by the previous legislature. The reform establishes that the State will guarantee the rehabilitation and training of permanently disabled individuals, prioritizing those under 18 years old. Additionally, the principle of progressiveness will be applied in the allocation of resources, and the amounts assigned in previous exercises will be maintained.
In Article 27 of the Constitution, a safe, fair, and permanent wage is guaranteed to farmers cultivating land with fruit trees, and support is provided to small-scale producers and fishermen. Furthermore, guarantee prices for agricultural products such as corn, beans, milk, rice, and wheat flour will be maintained.
The deputies rejected the majority of the amendments presented by the opposition and only approved one modification proposed by Deputy Lilia Aguilar Gil to change terms in Article 4. A transitory article was added to give Congress 180 days to harmonize secondary legislation on adequate housing. Aguilar Gil noted that the change reflects the right of every person to adequate housing according to the 2030 Agenda and UN-Habitat.
In summary, the constitutional reform approved by the Chamber of Deputies seeks to improve the protection and well-being of elderly individuals and those with disabilities, as well as to provide support to small-scale farmers, producers, and fishermen.
