EN 
PT_BR 
The loss of an entire harvest can jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of family farmers in Brazil. To ensure a minimum safety net for those who live off the land and face adversities such as droughts, floods and pests, a bill has advanced in the Chamber of Deputies that guarantees the right to unemployment insurance for this group.
Deputy Pezenti: “Because they play a crucial role in maintaining crop diversity and providing food for Brazilian society, it is essential to support and ensure the resilience of family farmers in the face of so many adversities” – Photo: Disclosure/FPA
The proposal is provided for in Bill 5131/2023, authored by deputy Daniel Agrobom (PL-GO), and received a favorable opinion from deputy Pezenti (MDB-SC) in the Agriculture, Livestock, Supply and Rural Development Committee (CAPADR), approved last Wednesday (21).
The text amends Law No. 7,998 of 1990, which institutes the Unemployment Insurance Program, to include family farmers, rubber tappers and extractivists among the beneficiaries, provided they prove losses exceeding 40% of production.
In his report, Pezenti highlighted the importance of the measure: “As they play a crucial role in maintaining crop diversity and providing food for Brazilian society, it is essential to support and ensure the resilience of family farmers in the face of so many adversities.”
According to the parliamentarian, the approved amendment brings together the main points of the proposals under analysis. “The proposals offer a vital safety net to family farmers affected by events beyond their control, ensuring the continuity of their activity and eliminating the risk of abandoning the field.”
Criteria for benefit
Unemployment insurance will be granted to farmers with a monthly family income of up to four minimum wages and who farm an area of no more than four tax modules. Exclusive dedication to agricultural activity in the 12 months prior to the application, registration of the property with Incra and proof of loss of production by official technical report will also be required.
The benefit will be worth one minimum wage per month, paid for up to four months in each 12-month cycle. The benefit cannot be accumulated with other ongoing social security or welfare benefits, with the exception of survivor's pensions, accident benefits and income transfer programs provided for in the Constitution.
Processing
The project is being processed under ordinary procedures and will now go to the Social Security; Finance and Taxation; and Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Committees (CCJC), where it will be analyzed conclusively, without the need for a vote in plenary, unless there is an appeal.
