The Defense Minister spent the morning next to the military leadership. During his agenda, one of the key points was the filing of two bills to increase compensation to members of the Public Force, including the inclusion in the Constitution of the 14 allowance for veterans.
Velásquez’s intention is that there is “no ambiguity” in the interpretation of whether veterans will get that additional allowance or not. In addition, he seeks to anticipate any decision of the Council of State, where he is currently pursuing a lawsuit that asked to remove it.
On the payment of the allowance 14
The retired military had been protesting since May because the Council of State took over the study of that payment and in July 2021, it was provisionally suspended, given the possibility that the act of the Ministry of Defense that approved it was against article 48 of the Constitution, the same one that is intended to be modified with the legislative act.
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Faced with this determination, the Defense Ministry had filed an appeal, but in September of last year the high administrative court dismissed it.
In May, President Gustavo Petro shared a statement from the Ministry of Defense that argued that the pension regime of the Public Force is special and, therefore, it is necessary to pay the allowance 14. That is “a fair recognition of their work and sacrifice,” said the text.
“If the decision of the Honorable Council of State is to leave without legal support the payment of the so-called allowance 14 to the members of the Public Force, the National Government will study all legal solutions that avoid causing harm to retirees“, warned the president.
In July, after the legal paths adopted by the Ministry, Minister Velásquez said that the Council of State finally notified them that the precautionary measure that began in 2021 was revoked. That high court ratified it, but clarified that the credit did not belong to the Government, but to its independent legal criteria.
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Bonus in military service
On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense filed another bill that has to do with the bonus received by people who provide compulsory military service. At the moment, that payment can go from 30 to 50% of a minimum monthly salary, And Velásquez’s idea is that Congress approves that uniformed officers at that stage can receive a full minimum wage.
The initiative seeks to “contribute to issues of health, education, housing, recreation, to the best being of all and all the members of the Public Force“said the minister.
In addition to the bonus, two key provisions are contemplated. One, that members of black, Afro-descendant, Raizal, Palenquera and ROM communities be exempt from military service. Other, the possibility of regular soldiers becoming professional soldiers with scholarships in training schools.
Colpress.
More information: They revoke the measure that suspended payment of pension allowances to retirees from the Public Force
