Retired and pensioned educators are protesting to demand that they be included in the payment of professional responsibility bonuses.

Retired and pensioned teachers from the Ministry of Education gathered this Monday in front of the state agency's headquarters in Caracas, demanding inclusion in the payment of the "Professional Responsibility Bonus" and the provision of the food allowance ("Cesta Ticket"). The protesters rejected the announcement made by Delcy Rodríguez on April 30th, considering that it "discriminatorily" excludes a significant number of retired educators. Pedro García, a union leader in the education sector, denounced that the "Patria" platform applies a "random" criterion that generates exclusion. "It seems random, like a kind of casino where a ball is thrown, and whoever it lands on gets something from the bonus," he said. García recalled that collective agreements establish a "golden clause" that obligates the extension of all benefits granted to active workers to retirees. He also denounced that most retirees only receive around $160, without the food allowance. Raquel Figueroa, a teacher and union representative from the College of Teachers of Venezuela, demanded dignified treatment for those who trained the majority of the country's professionals. "We have 25 years dedicated to education, and we still have to come here to demand a salary that is adequate for the basic basket! We demand that we be respected! We demand our rights. Retired educators are the social heritage of this country." The educator emphasized that, after decades of service, retirees do not receive dignified treatment and continue to fight for the benefits that correspond to them according to collective agreements. During the protest, banners were displayed, and slogans were chanted demanding inclusion in the "Professional Responsibility Bonus," the payment of the food allowance, and pensions that allow covering the basic needs of the family. Luis Ordoñez, secretary of organization of the Venezuelan Teachers' Union of Caracas (Sinvema), called on educators to overcome their fear and join the protests: "It cannot be that every time a gathering is called, people are found at home," he said, while also denouncing pressure on active workers to prevent them from participating in the demonstrations. This Monday's protest is part of the repeated demands of the teaching community for decent salaries and pensions, which would allow covering basic needs in the midst of the economic crisis affecting the country.