Nicaraguan Workers Protest
IMF's Interference
MANAGUA - Nicaraguan workers and public
employees marched Thursday to the building
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to
protest the organization's "interference in
the country's internal affairs."
Gustavo Porras, general secretary of the
National Front of Workers (FNT), said the
demonstration aimed to protest the IMF's
opinion about the country's economic
policies.
Gabriel Di Bella, IMF representative to
Nicaragua, said last week the salary bonus
announced by President Daniel Ortega for
state employees could mean an expense of 70
million U.S. dollars, which has pulled back
the economic program signed in 2007.
Porras said the bonus is to benefit more
than 120,000 workers. Since it was a
decision taken by the Nicaraguan government,
no foreigners should intervene in the issue.
Porras also criticized the IMF for its
attempt to put pressure on the Nicaraguan
government to raise the retirement age from
60 years old to 65 years old, and to
increase the cost of social insurance.
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