An elderly man, working as a packer at a supermarket, wears a protective face mask as a security measure for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City
(Photo : Reuters)

Some 35,000 elderly Mexicans, most aged between 60 to 74 years old may lose their jobs as grocers are beginning to crack under the pressure to pull out elderly employees amid the growing concern about panic buying and their vulnerability to the coronavirus. 

The program, which already came under fire from labor activists, is now under more scrutiny as more Mexicans opted to self-isolation or working from home amid fears of the virus.  

But on Friday afternoon, Walmart de Mexico said they would suspend the program after succumbing to pressure following a large online petition and a story published on Reuters. 

"Taking into account that elderly people are an especially vulnerable group, we've decided to go without the presence of the elderly people who provide valuable support as voluntary grocery baggers," the company said in a statement, assuring that they will provide workers 'economic support'.

However, the company said they will retain bag packers in their stores as per the recommendation of the National Institute for Elderly People (INAPAM), which oversees the program and has been reluctant to adopt measures that will affect the employees' income. 

Bagger Guillermo Valdez, 65, who packs groceries at Superama in the upscale Polanco neighborhood said Walmart has recommended wearing surgical masks. But by the time he asked for them in stores, Valdez said they had already run out. 

INAPAM director for state programs Ricardo Gallardo said workers should not be pulled from stores as their income relies on the tips they receive. He said they will not offer compensation should workers decide to stay at home. 

"The activities of the elderly adults as baggers in our stores are voluntary, they're not our employees," a spokesperson for Walmart de Mexico said. 

Walmart is set to host an hour-long seniors-only shopping event in its 5,000 plus stores in the United States for customers aged 60 and older. 

Mexican grocery chain Soriania, on the other hand, has already found a solution to this problem by asking shoppers to leave donations for the elderly volunteers after announcing that they will no longer be mobilized in consideration for their health. 

Instead, shoppers will have to pack their own groceries. 

People aged 65 and older are at a higher risk of contracting the 2019 coronavirus disease, accounting for eight for every 10 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Citing the local data, the CDC said 80 percent of deaths in China, where the virus originated, have been among people aged 60 and older. 

Mexico has fared better than other countries---unlike China and Italy where thousands have already died from the disease---with 164 recorded coronavirus cases and one fatality. Despite the impressive statistics, President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador still came under fire for refusing to impose a travel ban and work shutdowns even after its neighboring countries have already imposed mandatory lockdowns and travel restrictions along their borders. 

So far, Obrador's toughest measure has been cancelling large events and suspending classes as of next week. 

Meanwhile, Mexico and the United States have said they are limiting travel over the shared border, prohibiting tourist travel similar to what is already imposed in the US- Canada border earlier this week in order to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading in the North American region.