Insider

Mayors protest Bolsonaro move to grant wage bump to teachers

teachers wages brazil
President Jair Bolsonaro during a ceremony to celebrate higher minimum wages for teachers. Photo: Valdenio Vieira/PR

President Jair Bolsonaro presented an ordinance on Friday raising the minimum wage for teachers by 33 percent. The decision comes as multiple public servant groups increase their calls for better wages — including threats of a general strike in March.

But states and municipalities protested the president’s decision, saying it has no “legal grounds” and may be contested in court. Per a confederation of mayors, the wage bump would create an added BRL 30 billion (USD 5.6 billion) burden for municipal administrations.

Governors, meanwhile, urge the federal government for subsidies in order to pay for the higher wages.