Government base in Congress needs to vote in support of proposals by Executive, says Temer

"We cannot be afraid of being brave," said the President of the Republic, Michel Temer, on the pension reform approval. Temer spoke to congressmen at the Presidential Palace this Monday (18) and said that the government's base at the National Congress must vote for the benefit of the country.

President stressed that the changes in the minimum contribution time will benefit the poorest bracket of the population, which has more difficulties in completing the period.

"In this draft bill, we reduce contribution time to 15 years, which will favour the most needy, thus, showing that the pension reform is a benefit for the country, above all for the poorest", said the president.

Rural workers, the elderly and people with disabilities who qualify for the Continued Care Benefit (BPC) have been excluded from the reform. Therefore, the rules for this bracket of the population will not be changed. In addition, changing the minimum retirement age for retirement to 65 for men and 63 for women, will go through a 20-year transition period.

During the event, Temer sanctioned Provisional Measure 789/2017, which changes the calculation base for financial compensation for the exploration of mineral resources (Cfem) and raises royalty payments allocated to states and municipalities. "I'm putting this forward (reform's approval) and I'm pleased to provide for several Brazilian states".

The president also recalled that the measures approved, aimed at improving the country relied on the support of the House. "The legislative governs together with the executive branch, but has to pass these fundamental theses for the country", pondered Temer.