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Approval of the new minimum wage reaches R$1.640 and represents a significant milestone for workers in the state.
The authorities of São Paulo, in an action that took many by surprise, finally approved a significant adjustment in the state minimum wage.
However, the true extent of this increase has only recently become clear, sparking heated debate among workers and economic experts.
With the new value established, many questions arise: what motivated this adjustment? Who will really benefit? And what does this mean for the rest of the country? The answer may not be as simple as it seems.
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The Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (Alesp) approved an increase of 5,8% on the state minimum wage, raising it to R$ 1.640 from June 1, 2024, as published on May 24 of the same year.
This new value represents a significant increase in relation to the national minimum wage, which remains at R$ 1.412.
According to the São Paulo government, the adjustment aims not only to cover accumulated inflation 3,69%, but also offer greater purchasing power to families, especially in a state with one of the highest costs of living in Brazil.
The weight of the new minimum wage on the pockets of São Paulo residents
The salary adjustment, although expected, brought relief to millions of workers in São Paulo, who face an increasingly high cost of living.
O state government highlighted that the adjustment aims to balance workers' finances, allowing greater financial security for those who depend on the minimum to live.
Domestic workers, construction workers and other categories will be directly benefited, according to official estimates.
Furthermore, the increase seeks to value the local workforce, providing best conditions to save and invest in personal projects.
Why does São Paulo have a higher minimum wage than the rest of Brazil?
Since 2007, São Paulo has adopted its own state minimum wage, higher than the national minimum wage, reflecting the economic peculiarities of the region.
With one of the highest costs of living in the country, especially in the capital, the differentiated value is necessary to ensure that workers maintain a decent standard of living.
The decision also seeks reduce economic inequalities, providing greater equity between income and expenses. The new state minimum wage also strengthens São Paulo's role as a driving force behind the Brazilian economy.
Compared to the national figure, the difference may seem small, but for local workers, this difference in R$ 228 in your pocket at the end of the month makes all the difference, especially for categories without collective bargainingas the bartenders, cooks, messengers and maintenance professionals.
Who will really benefit?
The measure is mainly aimed at workers who do not have a minimum wage established by collective bargaining or federal rules, covering several professions that historically receive less attention when talking about salary policies.
Since 2007, the state has adjusted the minimum for categories such as transport assistants, administrative workers and trade professionals, guaranteeing minimum protection that often goes beyond what is established nationally.
Civil construction workers, domestic workers and cleaning workers are some examples of categories that will feel the direct impact of the increase.
Although most of these workers already experience the challenges of living on a minimum wage, the adjustment represents more than just a question of money: it is also about recognition and dignity.
The long-term impact and future expectations
Experts believe that the paulista government will continue to monitor economic conditions, carrying out future adjustments that follow inflation and changes in the cost of living.
With the new minimum wage in effect from June 2024, the aim is to ensure that workers maintain the purchasing power needed to face the region's economic challenges.
According to projections, the continuous monitoring will be essential to balance the local economy and ensure that wages reflect the needs of citizens.
The question remains: how will other Brazilian states react to this increase? Is Brazil ready to adopt a more personalized approach to state minimum wages? This could be the first step towards a broader change in the national economic landscape.
