The government of Luiz Inácio da Silva (PT) is discussing a legislative proposal to limit bonuses that allow a fraction of public servants to receive income above the constitutional ceiling of R$46,366.19, known as “hangings”. The proposal is discussed at the Ministry of Management.
The idea gained strength after the (Federal Supreme Court) for members of the Judiciary and the Public Ministry until Congress approved a law that regulates the topic. Any government proposal on the topic needs approval from the Legislature to come into force.
The penduricalhos mainly benefit people linked to the Judiciary and the Public Ministry, such as judges and prosecutors. In the Executive, the biggest focus of the ceiling is on the category of public lawyers.
The project must make a distinction between labor rights that also benefit workers in the private sector, such as thirteenth salary, and what is more commonly called a penuricalho, such as daily allowances for those who travel for work. The limitation should mainly affect this second group.
The issue gained notoriety because of the STF minister’s protest against these perceived benefits on the part of State employees. In March, the Supreme Court approved a thesis on these remunerations and established rules to remain in force until a project is approved by Congress.
The Court determined that compensation for judges and prosecutors cannot exceed the equivalent of 35% of their salary. Furthermore, it allowed these professionals to receive a 5% increase every five years of their career, also with a limit of 35%.
The STF prohibited ornaments as Christmas aid or to reimburse the purchase of fuel, housing or food allowance and compensatory leave of one day off for three workers.
In April, Lula. “It’s not possible for you not to put an end to the strife in this country, it’s not possible to continue with this promiscuity,” he declared in an interview with the ICL Notícias website.
Previously, in February, the PT member already had bills readjusting salaries for employees of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate and the TCU (Federal Audit Court). The projects created compensation and extra funds that could increase the income of some employees to more than R$80,000.
One of the sections provided one day off for every three worked during periods such as holidays and weekends, and the employee could choose to receive compensation instead of actually taking the day off and spending a day without working.
The president’s veto was interpreted, at the time, as another factor that could accelerate the creation of a law that . Members of both the government and the opposition gave statements in favor of the public service salary cap.
