Key facts
- Brazil's government will announce new support measures for gig workers and small businesses.
- The measures include raising the income ceiling for benefits and tax-debt renegotiation.
- Access to public sector purchases will be expanded for small businesses.
- Over 16 million formalized micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs) are expected to benefit.
- Debts of MEIs in federal active debt will be regularized to allow them to operate and access benefits.
BRASILIA, June 24 (Reuters) - Brazil's government is set to unveil new measures in the coming days aimed at enhancing support for gig workers and small businesses. The Ministry of Entrepreneurship announced that these initiatives will include proposals to increase the income threshold for benefits and tax-debt renegotiation, as well as broaden access for small businesses to public sector contracts.
Micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs), a simplified business category designed to formalize self-employed individuals like delivery drivers and small business owners, currently number over 16 million in Brazil. The government's new proposals aim to strengthen opportunities for this significant segment of the workforce.
While specific details on the new income ceiling for benefits and tax-debt renegotiation were not immediately provided, Finance Minister Dario Durigan indicated last week that by 2028, workers earning up to approximately 130,000 reais (about $25,023) annually could be eligible, a substantial increase from the current 81,000 reais limit.
Another key measure involves regularizing debts for MEIs registered in federal active debt, enabling them to resume operations and access government benefits. Furthermore, the government plans to expand the 'Contrata + Brasil' program, which facilitates sales to the public sector for small businesses, by increasing the number of participating entities.