The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB)defended this Wednesday (6) a “modern” PL (bill) to regulate the exploration and sale of rare earths in Brazil throughout the world.
“We need to have a modern project so that we can open this exploration to all companies in the world, There is no interest here in serving just one interest or the interest of just one country”, stated Hugo in an interview with Rádio Câmara.
The president of Casa Baixa stated that the idea is for Brazil to get the “maximum possible benefit” from the exploration of critical minerals so that it is not just another commodity to be exported by the country. Commodities are goods that correspond to basic, non-industrialized products and, therefore, have lower added value on the market.
Hugo praised the opinion by deputy Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania-SP), rapporteur of the Rare Earths Bill in the Chamber.
The report structures a tiered incentive system for adding value. The text incentives and state coordination mechanisms to encourage not only the extraction, but also the transformation of these minerals on Brazilian soil.
Brazil has the world’s second largest reserves of critical minerals, considered essential for the production of electric vehicles and modern weapons. However, the country does not yet have the necessary technology to process them, requiring partnerships with other countries.
“What the project does is precisely make those companies that want to explore this great potential that Brazil has to come and set up here,” he declared.
The idea of defending a multilateral position on the exploration of rare earths is in line with the vision of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). On more than one occasion, Lula wanting to negotiate with more than one country.
6×1 scale
In the interview, Hugo also stated that One of the commitments of your administration as President of the Chamber will be the advancement of the proposal that aims to end the 6×1 scale.
“It is a commitment of this presidency, it is a commitment of the Chamber of Deputies with those who work, with those who carry this Brazil on their shoulders, which are our workers, to be able to deliver a reduction in working hours without a salary reduction”, he declared.
The deputy also said that he intends to debate the issue correctly in the Lower House so that it does not become a “harmful measure” for businesspeople and the country’s productivity.
According to Hugo, with the reduction in working hours, the working class will be valued and will be able to deliver productivity.
“When the 13th salary was created, it was said that the country’s economy was going to collapse. Back then, it was said that the end of slavery was the end of labor […] It is very easy for those who do not have a 44-hour work routine to say that those who do have this routine should stick to this regime.”, he stated.
At the moment, two PECs (Proposed Amendments to the Constitution) on the topic are being processed in the Chamber. One of them, by congressman Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), proposes reducing the working day from 44 hours to 36 hours per week; and another by deputy Erika Hilton (Psol-MG), who determines the replacement of the 6×1 scale with the 4×3 scale, that is, workers would work four days, and take three days off.
Both have already had the approval of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) and are now being analyzed by a special commission created just to debate the matter. Afterwards, it will still need to pass through the Chamber plenary before going to the Senate.
