Violent clashes at Brazil teachers’ protest in Curitiba

BBC News, 4/30/2015

More than 200 people are reported to have been injured in clashes between police and teachers protesting in the Brazilian city of Curitiba.

Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at demonstrators in the southern city on Wednesday. Officers said they had been forced to act when a group of protesters tried to break through police lines around the state legislative assembly.

The teachers were protesting against proposed changes to their pension. Curitiba city officials said 213 people had been injured. The emergency services reported that eight were in a serious condition in hospital.

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Brazil raises spending limit on home purchases from pension fund

Reuters, 09/30/2013

Brazilians will be allowed to apply money held in their government-run pension funds towards the purchase of more expensive homes, Brazil’s top economic policy-making body announced on Monday, which could boost demand in the country’s recovering housing sector.

Brazil’s National Monetary Council said on Monday that formally registered workers in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and the Federal District could use money they have accumulated in their so-called FGTS funds towards the purchase of homes valued at up to 750,000 reais ($337,838), up from a previous limit of 500,000 reais.

Those residing in other states would see the limit raised to 650,000 reais, the council said.

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Brazil government to push pension reform this year -Minister

Tom Murphy – Dow Jones, 11/04/2011

The administration of Brazil President Dilma Rousseff is pushing congress to pass the first stage of its planned pension reforms before the end of this year, Planning Minister Miriam Belchior said Friday.

“We are pushing for passage this year, at the very least in the Chamber of Deputies,” Belchior said at an investment conference in Sao Paulo.

The first stage of the government’s pension reform sets up a pension fund for incoming government workers. Such workers would no longer be eligible for current government pensions. Under current laws, most government workers are able to retire at full pay.

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