Juárez teachers protest against ISSSTE reforms

JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) - Hundreds of local teachers in Juárez protested this morning outside the Chihuahua state government offices near the Bridge of the Américas.

Some local schools with basic education levels had to cancel classes due to the protest; other teachers protested outside their respective schools.

Protests have been happening across Mexico due to opposition against recent federal reforms proposed by the 'Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado' (ISSSTE).

The ISSSTE reform aims to change retirement based on length of service, change in the pension system, and pension payment based on the minimum wage.

That would eliminate the UMAS (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), and not the deduction of the integrating salary; teachers say the worker's salary is untouchable.

"With this reform proposal I will have to wait a few more years to retire, I have already completed 28 years of service," said Norma Holguín, a teacher in Juárez.

The ISSSTE 2025 law aims to impose teachers to retire after turning 60 years of age, teachers are demanding to retire after 28 years for women and 30 for men.

"Well, sometimes it's sad, it's sad because we are supposed to support the citizens, teaching the new generations, I think that we should have a little more revaluation as had been said previously with President AMLO," David Hesiquio said.

Juárez teachers demanded the federal government to be heard and be respected for their teaching years, but also to avoid the discounts planned to their salaries aimed to improve federal healthcare and housing.

"I feel supported, I feel that it is our time to be a union, to support each other, and to have the same goal; I am very happy to see all my colleagues here united," said Aideé Urquizo who has been a teacher in Juárez for nearly 20 years.

Now teachers feel uncertain about when and how they will be able to retire.