Lula pointed out that raising the minimum wage will allow for a revival of economic development and will help create new jobs. | Photo: @LulaOficial
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed the increase in the minimum wage on Sunday to mark International Workers’ Day.
Lula da Silva indicated that an increase of 2.8 percent will take effect on May 1.Therefore, the minimum wage in the country will increase from 1,212 reais ($242.4) to 1,302 reais ($260.4).
“For the first time in six years it is a small but real increase above inflation,” said the head of state.
In a message to the Brazilian people, Lula reiterated that in the next few days he would submit a bill to Congress that would allow the minimum wage to be raised above last year’s inflation rate.
Lula da Silva assured that during his third term in office, the minimum wage will again be an instrument of social change as it was in the past when it grew 74 percent above inflation and enabled millions of Brazilians to escape poverty.
The Brazilian head of state pointed out that raising the minimum wage will allow economic development to be revived and will help create new jobs.
Lula also announced that workers earning up to 2,640 reais a month ($528) will be exempt from paying income tax starting in May.
The president added that by the end of his term, he will make good on his promise to raise the salary limit to 5,000 reais ($1,000) for those exempt from paying taxes.
The President recalled that in its first terms, the South American giant had a record generation of jobs, the minimum wage was repeatedly adjusted above inflation and all workers’ rights were guaranteed.
Lula da Silva commented that since he regained the presidency, he has been working to reclaim the gains lost by workers during Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
(With information from Brasil de Fato and EFE)