The minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Guilherme Boulos (Psol-SP), stated on Saturday, 2, that the pre-candidate for president of the Republic Romeu Zema (Novo-MG) defended child labor and this is an “act of cowardice”.
“Defending child labor is an act of cowardice. The citizen who does this on Labor Day goes further: he shows serious signs of being a psychopath. His name is Romeu Zema”, wrote Boulos on his profile on X.
Zema indicated in an interview that, if elected president in 2026, he could propose changes to legislation to expand the possibilities under which young people can work in Brazil. Currently, the minimum age is 16 years old, which drops to 14 years old for young apprentices.
When commenting on the matter, Zema used the term “child” when defending the measure. After the repercussions, he published a new video, in which he maintains his position, but starts using the term “adolescent” instead of child.
“When I was a child, it was allowed to get a work permit at the age of 14. Unfortunately, in Brazil this idea was created that young people cannot work. I know that studying is a priority, but every child can be helping with simple issues, which are within their reach”, said Zema on the podcast Intelligence Ltd on Friday, 1st, Labor Day.
He said that when he was a child, he helped his father count screws and nuts and wrap the products in newspaper. “The left has created this notion that working harms children. Abroad, in the United States, children go out delivering newspapers, they receive I don’t know how many cents per newspaper delivered, in the time they have. Here, prohibited, you are enslaving children. But I’m sure we will change that there”, continued the former governor of Minas Gerais.
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After the statement to the podcast, the Novo pre-candidate’s press office released a new speech by Zema, in which he says he wants to provide “job opportunities” for teenagers.
“In Brazil, this is already allowed from the age of 14 as an apprentice, but we need to expand these opportunities, with protection and without disturbing the school,” said Zema. According to him, the measure is necessary, as decent work builds character and discipline and prevents young people from joining organized crime.
