Venezuelans form long lines for identification card that will affect pensions

Record ID: 1354210

  • Title: Venezuelans form long lines for identification card that will affect pensions
  • Date: 30th August 2018
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 30, 2018) (REUTERS) VENEZUELANS WAITING IN LINE TO REGISTER FOR IDENTIFICATION CARD CLOSE UP OF WOMAN WAITING VENEZUELANS SITTING IN LINE VENEZUELANS STANDING IN LINE VENEZUELAN MEN IN LINE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CARACAS RESIDENT, JESUS PADRO, SAYING: "I am getting my card because of government pressure and I think that in any democratic governmen
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2018 18:35
  • Keywords: Venezuelan retirees identification card pension system
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018VDRCCJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Hundreds of Venezuelans waited in long lines on Thursday (August 30) to obtain an additional identity card that President Nicolas Maduro recently said must be obtained to organize pensions.
    The card will also be used by the government to provide bonuses, track the use of social services and affect how much a person pays for gas.
    The policy change is seen as a means of extending state control by enhancing tracking of citizens, who already have one national identification card.
    As they waited, many expressed dissatisfaction with the new card.
    "I think that, like many Venezuelans, we do not want to get our card because we already have an identity card that says Venezuela, because we already have a passport that says Venezuela and with that in our Constitution we do not need anything else. We all think - or the great majority of those that were born here - think that another card could be a distinction of belonging to a political party," said resident Maria di Giacove.
    Previously, retirees could receive their pensions using their national identification cards.
    The new pension system is set to take effect on September 1, and is to be run through a so-called "digital wallet" via online portals. Initially, however, the payments will still be available off-line.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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