PTista states that payment is essential for fishermen; MP on salary changes will be voted on this month in Congress
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) guaranteed the continuity of defense insurance for artisanal fishermen. “It would be inconsistency to end something for people to live with dignity at a time when they cannot fish”declared this Wednesday (March 18, 2026) during the 3rd Women of Waters Awards.
The statement comes days before the vote on the Provisional Measure which establishes new rules for granting insurance. There are discussions about a possible limitation or closure of the program as part of measures to contain public spending.
Lula said that the government’s intention is to combat irregularities in granting the benefit. “There are a lot of people who don’t know what a worm and a hook are signing up to receive defense insurance”he declared. He added that the irregularity “harms those who deserve it”.
In February this year, 76,000 due to irregularities and, consequently, fishermen lost all rights guaranteed by law. Among them, defense insurance, authorization to carry out commercial fishing and sickness benefits. The justification of the MPA (Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture)
The benefit is a type of unemployment insurance aimed at artisanal fishermen during the period in which fishing activity is prohibited for environmental preservation. It is paid with resources from the FAT (Worker Support Fund) and managed by Codefat (Worker Support Fund Deliberative Council), linked to the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
