The 'diesel aid' from the Federal Government could be a solution to avoid truck drivers' strike, but they are still dissatisfied with the current scenario of the situation that Brazil has been facing
In order to avoid a possible truck drivers' strike, last Thursday (21), the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro (without party), said that the Federal Government wants to create aid aimed at truck drivers, due to the rise in diesel oil prices. . Truck drivers are part of President Bolsonaro's support base. The Chief Executive reported that this measure will benefit around 750 truck drivers, but he has not yet spoken about values and where this resource for creating the benefit will be taken from. It is estimated that the Federal Government will be able to pay up to R$ 400 to truck drivers by December 2022. It is possible that the disbursement for the aid will come from the space generated within the 2022 budget, with the revision of the methodology for calculating the ceiling of expenses.
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Diesel aid for truck drivers will compete for space with funds for vaccines, Bolsa Família and other aid from the Federal Government
Caixa Econômica Federal will be responsible for operating the 'diesel aid'. The participants in the negotiations stated that the dribble in the spending ceiling was “sewn in” by the government, in order to include the Auxílio Brasil of R$ 400 in the budget, as determined by the president. This new change could open a space of at least R$83 billion in 2022, when Jair Bolsonaro will likely run for re-election.
The new calculation is already in the Precatorios PEC and the report has already been read. If approved, the Federal Government intends to use part of the R$ 15 billion that will appear within this year's budget to pay for 'diesel assistance' to truck drivers. The rest of the amount will pay the Brazil Aid and vaccines.
During the meeting at the Palácio do Alvorada, Bolsonaro demanded that responsible technicians find solutions for the successor of the current Bolsa Família, as he would like, in addition to also reaffirming that he wanted fuel aid.
Rise in fuels generates dissatisfaction across the country and government blames fuel prices abroad
The price of fuel has fluctuated in recent weeks and has gone from R$4,961 to R$4,976, causing dissatisfaction among vehicle users throughout Brazil. For Jair Bolsonaro, the increase in fuel prices is due to prices abroad.
The announcement of diesel assistance for truck drivers happens at the same time, when the financial market speaks negatively about the high possibility of the federal government, breaching the spending ceiling to finance the Auxílio Brasil program, which will replace the Bolsa Família. Auxílio Brasil is being seen as a fundamental piece to leverage Bolsonaro’s popularity in 2022.
On the verge of a truck drivers' strike, assistance could be a key part of reversing this situation
With the truck drivers' strike scheduled for November 1, it is possible that Bolsonaro is making an effort to give 'diesel assistance' to truck drivers, not only because they are part of his support base, but also as a way to avoid or even shorten the expected duration of the strike.
The rush for the aid to be approved does not even compare to emergency aid or the purchase of vaccines. With the truck drivers' strike approaching, the aid promised by Bolsonaro could reverse this situation.
The head of the Federal Executive reinforced that truck drivers will receive an allowance, since the price of diesel is very high. And he said that despite the difficult time, the federal government does not intend to leave anyone behind. Finally, he concluded by saying that they will also do this because it is through them that supplies and food reach the four corners of the country, so a truck drivers' strike needs to be avoided. Despite this, truck drivers remain dissatisfied.
