Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has approved a law providing for equal pay for men and women in the same position.

Moreover, the Head of State approved two other laws. One includes moral and sexual harassment and discrimination in the list of ethical and disciplinary violations by the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), which could result in the suspension of lawyers.

Another proposal, approved by the president, gives priority to pregnant and postpartum women upon renewal of the Bolsa Atleta programme and guarantees regular monthly payments under the programme until sporting activities are resumed.

The Labour Code prohibits the wage differential between men and women, formally called Law Decree No. 5452 (CLT), but in practice, the law’s requirement is not implemented.

According to the bill approved by the government, in the case of discrimination based on gender, race or ethnicity, the employer must pay a fine equal to the difference between the salary due and ten times the amount of the new salary. In the event of a repeat offence, the fine is doubled.

Until the proposal was adopted, the penalty was limited to 50 per cent of the maximum limit of benefits under the General Social Security Scheme, in addition to payment of the wage differential due. Companies with more than 100 employees must also publish semi-annual wage transparency reports, as reported by Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS.

African Times published the article in partnership with TV BRICS, an international media network. https://tvbrics.com/en/news/lula-approves-law-providing-for-equal-pay-for-men-and-women/