Teachers' minimum wage will be adjusted by 7,97% in 2013.
The salary adjustment does not follow the upward trend of the last two years, when it was 22% in 2012 and 18% in 2011. According to the Minister of Education, Aloizio Mercadante, the smaller adjustment is due to the economic slowdown and the drop in revenue collection.
Heloisa Cristaldo
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia - The national minimum wage for basic education teachers will be adjusted by 7,97% in 2013. The information was released today (10) by the Ministry of Education. With the increase, the value will rise from R$ 1.451 to R$ 1.567 and will be paid by states and municipalities in February. The composition of the minimum wage takes into account the annual cost per student of the last two years, calculated by the Fund for Maintenance and Development of Basic Education and Appreciation of Education Professionals (Fundeb).
The 2013 salary floor adjustment does not follow the upward trend of the last two years, when it was 22% in 2012 and 18% in 2011. According to the Minister of Education, Aloizio Mercadante, the smaller adjustment is due to the economic slowdown and the drop in revenue collection. Fundeb is an accounting fund composed of a basket of state and municipal taxes and transfers, and its validity extends until 2020. By law, at least 60% of Fundeb resources must be used to pay the salaries of teachers and educational administrators.
"It doesn't have the same impact as last year's adjustment, but it's an increase above inflation. The problem is that we started from a very low salary level, R$ 1.567, which is little more than two minimum wages," said the minister.