COAG valued as 'unfair' and 'inappropriate' proposals of the Government for the agricultural sector

The Coordinator of organizations of farmers and cattlemen (Coag) requires the central Government to assess the special characteristics of the agricultural sector, before any possible change in the pension system and the legal age of retirement. In this way, the agricultural entity reference has been made to the lower contributory capacity of the sector, (GDP per occupied of the agricultural branch is 60% of the average total GDP), a price average of 40-45 years and 44% below the average pensions (518 euros/month with 919 euros/month in the general scheme)as well as the physical effort required the work in the field, they justify this request. The agrarian organization has reacted as well to the proposal of the Executive to delay the retirement age to 67, which would further cut social rights to producers in the sector. Since COAG, qualifies this proposal unfair and inappropriate. "The Executive has to provide social protection to workers according to their needs." "Farmers arrive with great difficulty at the age of current retirement, due to the hardness of the activities in the field and the economic difficulties in the sector", Andoni García, head of industrial relations of the Coag has argued. With regard to the age of retirement, Andoni García has tempered: "farmers not currently retire up to 65, with an overall average around the age of 62, and in many cases make it above that age". However, Coag advocates a broad consensus to address reforms of this depth and a framework for prior dialogue with agrarian professional organizations.