Berzoini thinks it will be difficult to remove retirees' contribution from Social Security reform

28/04/2003 - 23h09

Brasília, April 29, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (28), as he left a meeting in the Chamber to discuss Social Security reform with the Workers' Party (PT) bloc, the Minister of Social Security, Ricardo Berzoini, said that it is unacceptable for legislators who are members of the party to reach understandings with other political groups that are opposed to government projects. "Disagreements are natural; what cannot occur is for members of the PT to articulate against their own party," the Minister declared.

According to Berzoini, the debate on social security reform is a heated and lengthy one, but, after the discussions are done, a unified position will be defined. "In the PT, the discussions were always lengthy, due to the different perspectives of the legislators. Whoever lacks patience will not manage to accompany the debates," the Minister emphasized.

The Minister announced that the federal government is willing to dialogue with those who defend positions opposed to the Social Security Reform. Nevertheless, he reiterated that there is no chance the government will substitute another source of income for the collection of a social security contribution from retirees equivalent to 11% of retirement benefits, as the proposal envisions. (DAS)