President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Saturday (16) that governments need to “break with the increasing dissonance” between the market and the “voice of the streets” to “reach the hearts of ordinary citizens”.
The PT member gave the closing speech at the G20 Social, a parallel event promoted by the Brazilian government and social movements before the Summit of the group’s heads of state.
“Neoliberalism has worsened the economic and political inequality that plagues democracies today. The G20 needs to discuss a series of measures to reduce the cost of living and promote more balanced working hours”, he said.
The statement comes amid the debate on the proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that aims to end the 6×1 scale (six days on and one day off). In his speech, Lula did not mention the project presented by congresswoman Erika Hilton (Psol-SP).
The proposal gathered support on the networks and in Congress and has already obtained more than the 171 signatures necessary for it to be filed in the Chamber of Deputies. However, it is also the target of criticism.
Federal deputy Maurício Marcon (Podemos-RS) presented an alternative PEC to Hilton’s, which allows the worker to maintain a 44-hour week regime or establish a flexible regime. Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) mocked the proposal to reduce working hours, which he considers to be an attempt by the left to “play one against the other, like an employee against an employer”.
Lula calls for mobilization to advance Brazil’s priority agendas at the G20
During the speech, the head of the Executive pointed out that “the economy and international politics are not a monopoly of experts or bureaucrats” and called for greater mobilization of society. “Scream, protest, demand. Otherwise, things won’t happen,” he said.
According to Lula, “permanent mobilization” is essential to boost the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, the taxation of the super-rich, advance the use of renewable energy and carry out the “Action for Global Governance Reform, ensuring multilateral institutions more representative”.
The president also stated that the G20 must combat extremism and once again demanded resources from “rich countries” to protect the Amazon. “[O G20] It needs to preserve public space, so that extremism does not generate setbacks or threaten rights”, he said.
“We need to commit to peace, so that geopolitical rivalries and conflicts do not divert us from the path of sustainable development”, highlighted the president. Lula received the final declaration from the G20 Social that will be delivered to the group’s leaders during the summit next Monday- fair (18) and Tuesday (19).
“The text emphasizes three central pillars: fighting hunger, poverty and inequality; tackling climate change and just transition; and reforming global governance,” Planalto said in a statement.
