Nicaragua accepts dialogue call after protests

Nicaragua has accepted a call for dialogue by the private sector to discuss a new set of social security measures, which have led to widespread protests and violence in the country that killed at least five persons and injured around 100 in three days.

Vice President Rosario Murillo on Friday said that the government has decided to accept the call by the business guilds to come to the dialogue table to discuss the contentious social security measures and other issues, Efe news reported.

Earlier in the day, the private sector of Nicaragua had called for a march for peace and dialogue on Monday and urged authorities to respect their right to protest on the streets.

The call came after three days of violence and protests in the country against new social security measures by the government, led by President Daniel Ortega.

The new social security measures would require employees to pay seven per cent of their salaries, up from 6.25 per cent, to the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (NISS), while employers will have to contribute 21 per cent, up from 19 per cent.

The measures have been dismissed by businesses and experts as a tactic to stop the NISS from going bankrupt.

They also fear the reforms could increase unemployment, lower consumption and competition and harm the business climate.

--IANS

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