Don't talk about the crisis. Work and don't get paid.

By Fernando Brito, in brick - Are you seeing the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track".

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"Banks have lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in Valor, it was reported that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06%.

"Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (...) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%."

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Moreover, with these things being put on track, and with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.

See the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track."

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"The banks lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in PriceIt can be read that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06.

“Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (…) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%.”

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Arilhos, with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.

See the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track."

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"The banks lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in PriceIt can be read that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06.

“Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (…) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%.”

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Moreover, with these things being put on track, and with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.

See the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track."

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"The banks lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in PriceIt can be read that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06.

“Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (…) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%.”

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Moreover, with these things being put on track, and with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.

See the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track."

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"The banks lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in PriceIt can be read that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06.

“Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (…) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%.”

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Moreover, with these things being put on track, and with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.

See the numbers from Estadão up there? It's just a small part of the economy, the construction sector, which is repeated throughout the economy. And, in the case of municipal and state employees, the share is gigantic.

It is not an easy decision for the employer, who risks a fine of R$ 170 per employee in case of delay in the payment of the 13th salary.

If they had the means, they would at least pay for the risk.

They are also running the risk of not paying taxes, which generates debts adjusted by the unattainable Selic rate and astronomical fines.

Six months ago, the Brazilian government's website published the following joke:

Interim President Michel Temer, during an interview last week with a television channel, stated that the new government is beginning to produce positive effects, despite being only a few days old.

"I want to note that the GDP decline was less than expected. A 0,8% drop was predicted, and it fell by 0,3%. This is already an indication that this very brief period in which we have been governing has already produced some positive effect."

Now, they promise the same for the end of 2017. In the same Economy section of Estadão newspaper where the drama of those who haven't received their salaries is highlighted, a huge and expensive advertisement says that Brazil is being put "back on track".

I regret to inform you, there is not the slightest indication that this could happen.

"Banks have lowered their rates." Indeed. Yesterday, in Valor, it was reported that Bradesco, for example, lowered the interest rates on its credit lines by 0,06%.

"Bradesco will reduce the minimum interest rate for personal loans from 2,84% to 2,78% per month. (...) For business loans, the minimum rate for working capital for micro and small businesses will fall from 2,10% to 2,04%."

To put it simply, so everyone can understand: if you borrow R$1, over 12 months, not counting bank fees, you were paying R$194,12 in interest. Now, you will pay R$189,80.

Does anyone honestly think this changes anything?

Even less so when one considers that, as the Government boasts, inflation remains at a lower level.

Instead of paying less due to currency devaluation, people are paying more.

Moreover, with these things being put on track, and with the Trump locomotive arriving in a week, it looks like a sure disaster.