Government funds for labor inspections and the fight against slave labor have decreased by almost 50 percent compared to the average of previous years.
From 2013 to 2018, an average of R$ 55.6 million (US$ 10 million) was invested annually in shares.
In 2019 and 2020, the value fell to R$ 29.3 million (US$ 5.3 millon). For 2021, the Budget provides even less, R$ 24.1 million (US$ 4.4 million), the lowest figure since the beginning of the historical series, in 2013.
The reduction of funds occurs while the federal government has sought to relax labor legislation.
Since the sector reform approved in 2017 by Congress, the demand for enforcement has been increasing.
"But with the reduction in the Budget, there is no way to work a miracle. There will be a drop in inspections," said Carlos Silva, of labor auditors' union.
The Ministry of Economy, in turn, says it plans to use new technological tools to increase the number of operations.
Union officials say they will try to reverse the situation during the discussion of the 2021 Budget in Congress.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon