Economy

Brazil lost 20.832 formal jobs in 2017

The numbers already include contracts signed under new work

Paula Laboissiére reports from Agência Brasil

Published on 26/01/2018 - 15:22

Brasília

Carteira de Trabalho — © Marcello Casal jr/Agência Brasil

Brazil lost 20.832 formal jobs in 2017, according to data from the General Register of Employed and Unemployed People (Caged), released today (Jan. 26) by the Ministry of Labor.

This was the third year in a row with a negative result, but the jobs loss dropped in comparison to the previous two years. In 2016, 1.326.558 job slots were closed. In 2015, there was a 1.534.989 jobs loss.

According to the data, hires last year added up to 14.635.899, while terminations totaled 14.656.731. In December only, 328.539 formal jobs were closed - a 0.85% drop in comparison to the same period last year.

The Caged numbers already include contracts signed under new work arrangements laid down in labor reform, such as part-time and intermittent jobs.

There were 2.851 hires for intermittent jobs in December and 227 terminations. As for part-time jobs, there were 2.328 hires and 3.332 terminations last month. Overall, 1.004 jobs under new arrangements were closed.

The Ministry of Labor assessment is that the 2017 results indicate there is employment stability in the country. "The result came in within the expectations. All market estimations pointed out to something close to employment stability", said the Statistic coordinator at the Ministry, Mário Magalhães.

Translated by Mariana Branco