Lula sanctions the law establishing wage parity

Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvasanctioned this Monday the law establishing equal pay for men and women performing the same functions and guaranteed that the Government would guarantee that it is strictly observed.

“Know that this government will implement that law,” Lula said at an event in Brasilia attended by hundreds of women celebrating the sanction.

The president admitted that there are certain doubts about the new law in some economic sectors, but she warned that, once it enters into force, the law cannot be “violated” or “mocked”.

He also asked men and women to condemn any violation of the law and assured that it is necessary for “all human beings to become outraged in the face of inequality, because inequality is not normal.”

The new legislation changes the so-called Consolidation of labor lawswhich dates from in 1943 and unifies labor standards, in order to definitively establish the obligation of equal pay between men and women performing the same functions.

The text provides for transparency and reward mechanisms that companies must follow, creates various inspection tools to ensure compliance, and establishes high administrative penalties for those who violate the law.

According to official statistics, women represent 51.1% of the Brazilian population earns about a 22% less and occupy only 37% managerial positions in companies.

For Minister for Women, Cida Gonçalvespassing this law is only the “first step” towards respect and equality.

Some economic sectors have voiced veiled criticism of this new law, arguing that it could increase costs for companies or cause unemployment for women, situations the minister completely rules out, even using United Nations data.

“The UN says that equal wages contribute to an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) of countries and, if this happens, the profits of companies also increase,” and society as a whole benefits, he explained.

Gonçalves believes that the new law is a “very important” first step towards greater gender equality in the labor market, but he emphasized that it is only a step.

“Now it is necessary to discuss the issue of equality”, which “is not only legislation”, and to promote initiatives so that “women have the possibility of professional advancement in their careers”, which must include a discussion with the whole society. , convinced.