Brazil: Interim government begins discussing pension reform

A working group was set up by acting President Michel Temer earlier

Published on 18/05/2016 - 09:03 By Paulo Victor Chagas reports from Agência Brasil - Brasília

The interim federal government will begin negotiating with workers' unions this Wednesday (May 18) to discuss changes in the pension system. A working group was set up by acting President Michel Temer earlier this week, including a member from Congress to help anticipate potential deadlocks.

They are planning to present a reform proposal within 30 days. The government wants to hear the union's proposals and seek a compromise before submitting these proposals to Congress and already anticipates that it will revise at least one of the eligibility requirements for retiring—age or contribution years.

The working group consists of government and workers' representatives, and is coordinated by Chief of Staff Eliseu Padilha.

On Monday (16), Temer met with representatives from workers' unions and heard complaints about the prospect of setting a minimum age for retirement eligibility. Despite the arguments of the government's economics team, union leaders claim that before considering changing the pension system, the government should try to find other sources to fund social security to avoid placing the burden of the economic crisis on the shoulders of workers.


Translated by Mayra Borges


Fonte: Brazil: Interim government begins discussing pension reform

Edition: Graça Adjuto / Augusto Queiroz

Latest news