Presidential candidate Romeu Zema (Novo) said Monday he would not guarantee a real increase in Brazil's minimum wage [1].
The position signals a shift toward a growth-indexed wage policy, which could impact millions of low-income workers if economic expansion slows.
During a live interview on TV Globo broadcast on Monday, Aug. 24 [1], Zema said to journalists Renata Vasconcellos and César Tratti that any adjustment to the minimum wage would be tied to the country's economic growth. This approach differs from policies that provide automatic real increases above inflation.
Zema was one of six leading presidential candidates [2] invited by the network for a series of interviews intended to clarify policy positions ahead of the 2026 election [3].
On the topic of social security, Zema said he would not change retirement ages "for now" [1]. This statement suggests a temporary freeze on pension reforms, though he did not rule out future adjustments to the system.
Regarding monetary policy, the candidate said a target interest rate of six percent [4] as part of his broader economic proposals. He emphasized the need for fiscal discipline to stabilize the economy and attract investment.
The interview was broadcast simultaneously across TV Globo, g1, and GloboNews [3]. It served as a platform for Zema to outline a platform centered on market-driven adjustments rather than state-mandated wage hikes.
“Romeu Zema said he would not guarantee a real increase in Brazil's minimum wage.”
Zema's proposal to tie the minimum wage to economic growth represents a move toward fiscal conservatism. By removing the guarantee of a real increase, the candidate aims to protect the national budget from automatic spending hikes, though this risks reducing the purchasing power of the working class during periods of economic stagnation.
