Brazil – Permits Foundation proposes amendment to Foreigners Bill
23 December 2013The Brazilian government has been consulting on the need for immigration reform this year, with a series of public hearings on the Foreigners Bill (PL 5655/2009), which was drafted in 2009 but not yet adopted.
Our legal advisors, Loeser e Portela, met with Congresswoman Mrs. Perpetua de Almeida, Rapporteur of the Congress Committee on the Bill, to present our proposed amendment. This would allow family members (spouse partner and working age children) to be employed or self-employed throughout the assignment. While it is already intended that family members be allowed to work, the wording of the Bill is ambiguous on how this would be achieved. It is important to secure this amendment in the legislation because a Normative Resolution (RN99) of the National Immigration Council in January 2013, aimed at allowing spouses with a job offer to get a work permit, has not achieved the desired effect. We believe our proposal has been positively received.
On a wider note, consultations have also taken place between employers and Brazil’s Strategic Affairs Secretariat (SEA) on the need to increase the number of skilled foreign workers to meet manpower shortages and to accelerate economic growth and competitiveness.
While there is no firm timetable for adopting the Bill and there is still some debate on whether it should be amended or completely re-written, we are pleased that there is a formal process within which we can lobby. We will continue to promote full employment access for family members and will keep you updated on developments.
Read our proposal for an amendment in English or Portuguese.
Foreigners Bill PL 5655/2009 and current status.
Businessmen and experts discuss advantages of stimulating the entry of foreign workers in Brazil.
