Quito, April 15 (teleSUR-RHC)-- During a massive event with social movements and indigenous leaders in the town of Cangahua, in the outskirts of Quito, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa promised he will raise a social security scheme designed for the informal sector workers.

Some 1.2 million people use the Campesino Social Security, a program designed to provide healthcare and retirement funds for fishermen, small farmers, drivers and independent workers in general.

The president vowed to reinforce the program and debunked rumors that the government was going to close the initiative. “I want to deny the ill-intentioned rumors of the supposed shut down of the Campesino Social Security … (these are) lies that come from those who could not beat us in the polls,” said Correa. 

The president added that the government does not have any debts pending with the Ecuadorean Institute for Social Security (IESS), the entity in charge of the program. Speaking in front of 6,000 people, Correa called upon them to organize and march on May 1, the international workers day, in order to show the nation the government's popular support.

The president's remarks come as the National Assembly (Parliament) is discussing reforms to the country's Labor Law which would modify the Social Security system to recognize homemakers' right to healthcare and retirement, amongst other important changes.