With the pandemic, Brazilian businesses closed their doors to maintain social isolation and avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Public Ministry launches a measure to help entrepreneurs.
In Juiz de Fora, in the interior of Minas Gerais, businesses will remain closed until the 30th, as announced by Mayor Antônio Almas of the PSDB.
The Sindicomércio demonstrated the great apprehension of employees and employers in Juiz de Fora, fear of the crisis that will affect the economic sector, which could lead to the closure of businesses, unemployment and even bankruptcy of businesses, which are being seen by the Public Ministry.
Firstly, there is already talk of reopening establishments. Although studies report a higher peak of the virus at the same time as Covid-19, which may coincide.
Public Prosecutor's Office and the Provisional Measure
A new MP (Provisional Measure) was established by the Ministry of Economy, in order to reduce the value of wages and working hours by up to 70%. The proposal foresees benefiting employees who have signed employment contracts, to avoid layoffs during the coronavirus crisis. This reduction in wages will be maintained for ninety days and the working hours for two months.
Business owners were already expecting the measure, since MP 927, published in March, also allowed for the total suspension of workers, and did not highlight the aid from the Federal Government, so that workers would not be left helpless and without salaries.
The amount that the government will add to the amendment will be approximately R$51.2 billion in the federal government's coffers. In this case, employees do not need to pay the part that would go to the government. The amounts that will be reduced in the proposal have three different percentage ranges: R$251, R$501 and R$701. Domestic workers are also included in the proposal.
The Government's proposal provides assistance for jobs and entrepreneurs to help ensure security during the crisis. Therefore, closed establishments have no revenue.
In short, the payroll of business owners would be difficult to pass on to their employees, with government measures to close establishments. Without revenue, they cannot pay, and another measure is being studied, which would be about business owners' concern with taxes, a review will be considered.