Brazil Senate approves minimum income for workers

Brasilia, March 31 (IANS) The Brazilian Senate has approved a minimum income bill to help workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill had already been approved by the House and with the Senate’s nod on Monday, it now needs the signature of President Jair Bolsonaro to become a law, reports Xinhua news agency.

It remains unclear when Bolsonaro will sign the bill.

According to the bill, the emergency minimum income payments consist of a stipend of 600 reals ($116) for citizens who are currently unemployed and for citizens with a low income.

The payments will be made for three months, but that period can be extended in case social distancing measures last longer.

In order to be eligible, citizens must not be receiving unemployment benefits or pensions.

The payments are limited to a maximum of two people per household.

Single mothers are eligible for a double payment.

Brazial has reported a total of 4,661 confirmed coronavirus cases with 165 deaths.

–IANS

ksk/