On April 1, 2021, the new bidding law for the public sector, which aims to reform the existing framework that governs how the government enters into contracts with private parties for the provision of goods and services in order to reduce instances of corruption and fraud, became effective.
On April 9, 2021, the new regulatory framework for natural gas, which establishes a competitive market for natural gas with the aim of attracting new investments to the sector, reducing costs and reducing the consumption of natural gas, became effective.
On June 25, 2021, the Minister of Economy sent a tax reform bill to Congress, which includes measures to (i) simplify the existing income tax framework, (ii) reduce tax distortions and (iii) end certain income tax privileges without reducing revenues for the Federal Government (the “Tax Reform Bill”). The Tax Reform Bill is currently pending congressional approval.
Cabinet Changes
On March 23, 2021, Marcelo Queiroga was appointed as Minister of Health. On March 30, 2021, Luiz Eduardo Ramos took office as Ministry of Chief of Staff, Anderson Torres took office as Ministry of Justice, Walter Souza Braga Netto took office as Ministry of Defense, Carlos Alberto Franco França took office as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Flávia Arruda took office as Secretariat for the Presidency of the Government and André Mendonça took office as Attorney-General for the Federal Government. On June 23, 2021, Joaquim Pereira Leite, prior Secretary for the Amazon and Environmental Services, was appointed as Minister of Environment.
Employment and Labor
Employment Levels
From January 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021, 957,889 jobs were created, compared to the loss of 763,232 jobs from January 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020. As of April 30, 2021, formal employment increased by 0.30% as compared to March 31, 2021, resulting in an increase of 120,935 jobs.
In the first quarter of 2021, the unemployment rate in Brazil was 14.70%, an increase of 0.80% percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and an increase of 2.50% compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Wages
As of January 1, 2021, the minimum monthly wage for 2021 was set at R$1,100.00, representing an increase of 5.26% compared to the 2020 minimum monthly wage of R$1,045.00.
The 2021 Budgetary Guidelines estimated a minimum monthly wage of R$1,088.00, considering the INPC (National Consumer Price Index) at 4.1%. However, in light of an effective INPC of 5.45% in 2020, on December 30, 2020, the Federal Government enacted a provisional measure to increase the minimum monthly wage to R$1,100.00, with the aim of avoiding loss in purchase power.
The minimum monthly wage for 2022 is forecasted at R$1,147.00, representing an increase of 4.27% compared to the 2021 minimum monthly wage of R$1,100.00.
Social Security
As April 30, 2021, (i) the monthly benefits accumulated in the preceding 12-month period paid by the Brazilian Social Security System increased by 1.38% compared to the same period in 2020 and (ii) the Brazilian Social Security System payments decreased by 10.03% compared to April 30, 2020 (in real terms).
THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
THE BRAZILIAN ECONOMY
The economy in 2021 has been adversely affected by COVID-19 but has shown signs of recovery. See “Recent Developments—COVID-19 Developments.”
Economy in 2021
Brazil is currently experiencing a severe drought and, as a result, there have been occurrences of water shortages in the southeastern, midwestern and northeastern regions of the Republic. The drought may lead to an increase in energy prices and an increased risk of power shortages and wildfires as well as impacts to the Brazilian economy, including the agriculture sector.
Gross Domestic Product
In the first quarter of 2021, GDP increased by 1.20% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, GDP decreased by 3.80% in the first quarter of 2021 measured on a cumulative 12-month basis.
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