Audit of the Comptroller General of the Union and the Ministry of Fisheries identified evidence of coercion to fishermen and irregular concessions of the benefit
The federal government requested on Wednesday (3.SET.2025) that the (Federal Police) investigates frauds in granting defession insurance (artisanal fisherman’s unemployment insurance) in different Brazilian municipalities. The request was made by the (Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture) and by the (Comptroller General of the Union), after audits identified evidence of irregularities.
According to CGU minister Vinícius Marques de Carvalho, 2 types of criminal practices were identified:
- mediators coercing artisanal fishermen legitimate to pass on part of the benefit;
- People with no right to insurance-oriented insurance to obtain irregular payment with false data.
“We adopted a preventive management measure for greater control of the program, with an audit by government initiative, and found very serious cases where people without the right to the benefit were oriented on how to get it, in exchange for part of the amount received.”said Carvalho.
Fisheries Minister André de Paula said the priority is to ensure that the program reaches those who actually entitle. “It is very serious to see a public policy, created to protect families from fishermen and fishing resources, which needs months of disruption of fishing to recover, being distorted only to the gain of some criminals.”he declared.
The findings are part of the 1st stage of an audit that is part of the PAINT (Annual Plan of Internal Audit Activities). So far, interviews have been conducted in 23 municipalities of 7 states, chosen for concentrating a high proportion of beneficiaries. The first results of the audit have already been referred to the PF, under confidentiality.
OVERSIGHT
In addition to investigations, the government has announced measures to reinforce the program’s control. The MTE (Ministry of Labor and Employment) will, from October, do in -person checks as a mandatory stage for granting the benefit – so much remotely done.
In the first moment, the teams will work in Amazonas, Bahia, Maranhão, Pará and Piauí – the 5 states concentrate 75% of artisanal fishermen in the country. The check will include:
- Invoices for sale of fish and proof of social security contribution;
- monthly activity reports;
- Biometric registration in the national identity card;
- Local monitoring of fishing activity;
- Confirmation of the address and verification of compatibility between the municipality of residence and the territories covered by the defense.
“Teams will act for the purpose of ensuring the rights of artisanal fishermen that actually act exclusively and uninterrupted. Government’s commitment is to guarantee an agile and transparent process for the benefit of fishermen and fishermen who live from their work.”said the Minister of Labor, Luiz Marinho.
