Workers' Food Program benefits 19.5 million in 2015

Last year, 19.5 million Brazilians were benefit by the program. Of this total, 16.2 million (83.2%) earn an income up to five minimum wages, due to the priority given by the program to workers with such profile. Data were released Tuesday (Jan. 12) by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in the balance sheet of the 2015 Workers' Food Program (PAT in the original acronym).

According to the balance sheet, a total of 223,400 firms had registered their workers in the program until December 2015.The program had also registered 13,800 food supply companies; 249 collective food service, and 22,200 skilled professionals in nutrition into the program. Thirty-six applications and registrations have been canceled.

Created in 1976, the Workers' Food Program (PAT) was designed to encourage employers to provide adequate food supply to workers in exchange of tax incentives. The benefits derived from the non-wage program can be provided as prepared meals, food baskets, and vouchers or cards for meals or food .

Although the workers earning up to five minimum wages are the program's priority, if a firm already benefits all its employees within this income range, it can include professionals earning a higher income.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta