Guatemala City, by Brenda Larios -AGN- As of November 17, Agreement 1543 of the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security -IGSS- Board of Directors will come into effect, allowing Guatemalan migrants worldwide to access the institute’s services.
The first step to joining the program is registration, followed by the accreditation of rights, which is possible after making four contributions of four thousand quetzals.
During the October 22 airing of the program President Alejandro Giammattei hosts every Sunday, he emphasized that the expansion of IGGS coverage to Guatemalan migrants abroad and their families in the country is one of the contributions of his government and that this was possible through the approval of Agreement 1543 from the IGSS Board of Directors.
The expansion of Social Security coverage for Guatemalan migrants adds to the actions aimed at improving the services this community receives from the state and a true legacy for protecting their lives.
About the Agreement
Agreement 1543 guarantees this benefit to Guatemalan migrants. To receive coverage, they must enroll and pay a monthly fee of one thousand quetzals, which must be updated annually.
These efforts reaffirm President Giammattei’s commitment to the migrant community, which contributes significantly to the national economy.
The President recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light that remittances sent by fellow citizens abroad represented 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product -GDP-.
The approval of the agreement was possible after exhaustive financial analyses and studies of the structural and socioeconomic causes of migration.
The Benefits
Alongside President Giammattei, IGSS Chairman José Adolfo Flamenco discussed the benefits that Guatemalan migrants and their families will have in the social security system.
Chairman Flamenco explained that the family units of Guatemalan migrants residing in the country will have access to medication, hospitalization, surgeries, and pediatric care for children up to 7 years of age.
The coverage will apply to radiological, laboratory, and other complementary tests necessary for diagnosing and controlling illness.
IGSS will also provide nutrition in emergency services, observation, hospitalization, strengthening nutrition, health promotion, and specific disease prevention.
Family members included in the coverage
According to the IGSS President, the family unit of the Guatemalan migrant consists of children under seven years of age and their wife or legally recognized partner. These people should be registered in the social security system.
Payment Methods
The affiliate can contribute in Guatemala through remittances sent from abroad or pay in Guatemalan banks using a credit or debit card through the national banking system.
