Despite the cooling-off of the Brazilian economy, 618,577 new
jobs were created in the country in
the last 12 months. This
represents a 2.78 percent increase, according to the Ministry
of Labor. In
July alone, 37,233 jobs were generated. So far
this
year, new job positions amount to 598,140.
by:
AB
The decision by the Brazilian Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) to reduce the prime interest rate (Selic) from
24.5 percent to 22 percent per year pleased the National Industrial Confederation (CNI). CNI president, Armando Monteiro
Neto, affirmed that this is a move in the direction called for by the industrial sector. "It was a more daring measure that does
not put at risk the control of inflation. I feel satisfied, because, as I said yesterday, a reduction of less than 2.5 percent
would leave us frustrated."
Monteiro Neto pointed out that this sends a positive signal to economic actors and shows that the Administration is
moving in the direction of a looser monetary policy, which would be good for production and job preservation.
The 2.5 percent reduction in the Brazilian benchmark lending rate rate (Selic) should save the government R$ 11.1
billion (US$ 3.7 billion) over the next 12 months, according to the economic consultancy firm, Global Invest.
According to chief economist Marcelo Ávila, this reduction in interest payments on the public debt represents the
equivalent of 22.83 percent of what the government intends to save over the next 20 years as a result of social security reform.
"Today’s decision amounts to 4.5 years of the savings expected by the government through social security reform," Avila affirmed.
Unemployment
On the wake of good news on the prime rate some neutral news: The unemployment rate in Brazil was 12.8 percent
in July, stable in comparison with June (13.0 percent), but 0.9 percent less than in July, 2002, according to information
released by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).
The Monthly Employment Survey indicates that the economically active population increased 5.4 percent in July,
in comparison with July, 2002. On the other hand, the average salary for workers was R$ 833.50 (US$ 278), the lowest
since October, 2001.
The survey, which covers the six largest metropolitan areas of the country, revealed that the number of unemployed
people looking for work in July fell 1.9 percent in comparison with June. The largest declines occurred in Belo Horizonte (-7.1
percent) and Porto Alegre (-8.8 percent). In other areas, the rates were: -4.1 percent in Recife, -2.8 percent in Rio de Janeiro,
-1.6 percent in Salvador, and 0.7 percent in São Paulo. Compared with July, 2002, the unemployed population grew 13.4 percent.
Despite the cooling-off of the economy, 618,577 new jobs were created in the country in the last 12 months. This
represents a 2.78 percent increase, according to information contained in the General Registry of Employment and
Unemployment (Caged), released by the Ministry of Labor. In July alone, 37,233 new jobs arose. So far this year, the cumulative
total of new formal positions, with signed working papers, amounts to 598,140.
According to the Caged, the sector in which employment in July rose most was agriculture, with 26,974 new jobs,
the sector’s best performance since 2000. The explanation behind this rise in agricultural employment is the expansion of
the harvest, including exports, in the Center-South.
The service sector, for its part, was responsible for 8,230 new jobs in July. New jobs in commerce and construction
came to 7,662 and 3,504, respectively. Manufacturing employment, on the other hand, declined by 9,748 in July, as a result of
the negative balance in some sub-sectors. Rubber, hides, and skins, for example, sacrificed 6,779 jobs during the period.
For the year as a whole, however, manufacturing presents a positive balance of 118,272 new jobs.
São Paulo was the state in which the largest number of new jobs arose in July: 17,256. Minas Gerais was second,
with 5,574. On the downside, Rio Grande do Sul was the leader, with 11,073 fewer positions.
Sad 2002
On the other hand, the year of 2002 was not a good one for the Brazilian non-financial business sector. High interest
rates, exchange rate instability, the uncertainty caused by the presidential election and the US invasion of Iraq resulted in 43
percent of the country’s top 500 corporations closing out the year in the red.
That is the news in the report on non-financial corporate operations in 2002 by the Brazilian Economic Institute at
the Foundation Getulio Vargas (FGV).
The forecast for 2003 is more optimistic. There are good perspectives for reduced interest rates. The stronger real
will give corporate balance sheets a boost, even though the outlook is for weaker demand in the second half.
The FGV ranking for 2002 had Petrobras in first, for the eighth consecutive year. Telemar and Telefonica,
telecommunications operators, were in second and third, respectively. Vale do Rio Doce was in fourth, followed by Furnas, Brasil
Telecom, Embraer, Embratel, Pão de Açúcar and the National Steel Company. The aviation sector had the worst performance,
down 47 percent. The energy and telecommunications sectors also had losses in 2002.
Bank to the Rescue
On Monday (18), the Bank of Brazil inaugurated a low-cost line of credit for retirees and pensioners who receive
their INSS (National Social Security Institute) benefits through the bank. The program should provide assistance to around
two million people.
The loan corresponds to the amount of the monthly benefit, but it should not exceed two minimum wages, equivalent
to R$ 480 (US$ 160). The funds are available at once through the bank’s 35 thousand automatic terminals scattered across
the country. Recipients will have 6-12 months to repay the loans. A 2 percent monthly interest rate will be charged.
According to the Minister of Social Security and Social Assistance, Ricardo Berzoini, who attended the
inauguration ceremony, the government is removing all restrictions so that the Bank of Brazil can act with security and good
judgment to fulfill its social mission together with its role as a financial institution essential to the country’s economy.
The Bank of Brazil also intends to establish credit lines for people who have small savings accounts—between R$
20 (US$ 7) and R$ 200 (US$ 70)— as well as for people engaged in the informal sector of the economy, through the
Popular Bank of Brazil, set up to deal with people who have no proof of income.
This material was made available by Agência Brasil (AB), the official press agency of the Brazilian
government. Comments are welcome at lucas@radiobras.gov.br
