In at least 8 capitals, a new minimum wage will not be enough to buy two basic baskets of food

In at least eight Brazilian capitals, the new minimum wage, 1,212 Brazilian reais, which will be in effect from Saturday, January 1, will not be enough to buy up to two food baskets – Consists of 13 elements – according to the calculation made CNN Based on the latest national survey of the basic food basket conducted by the Department of Statistics and Socio-Economic Studies (Dieese).

The calculation took into account the price of food baskets sold in November 2021 in the capitals of Florianópolis (R$710.53), São Paulo (R$692.27), Porto Alegre (R$685.32), Vitoria (R$668).17), Rio de Janeiro (665.60 R$), Campo Grande (645.17 R$), Curitiba (638.96 R$) and Brasilia (631.95 R$). Dieese has not yet released its December base basket values ​​with price adjustments.

The value of the basic food basket varies across regions of the country, and thus represents a different portion of the minimum wage in each region. The lowest price, R$473.26 (46.5% of minimum wage), is found in Aracaju. The highest level was recorded at R$710.53 (about 70% of the minimum wage) in Florianópolis.

For Dieese, the value of the minimum wage should be approximately R$6,000, taking into account the price level in the country (also in relation to November 2021). This is almost five times the amount set for the new year.

The new minimum wage is R$112 higher than the current R$1,100, but for the third year in a row, it does not represent a real gain for Brazil’s pocket, but only represents a reconfiguration of losses from inflation.

The Economy Ministry says calculating the new minimum wage is an increase of 10.02% as forecast by the National Consumer Price Index for the whole of 2021.

According to federal government estimates, for every R$1 increase in the minimum wage, expenditures with social security benefits, bonuses, unemployment insurance, and continuous cash benefits (BPC) increase by R$364.8 million in 2022.