巴西TCU拟将任命职位奖金提40%，中资企业需关注公共部门薪资规则连锁效应

Brazil’s public spending watchdog, the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), has sent Congress a bill proposing an increase of up to 40% in bonuses paid to employees who hold non-career appointments within the institution. The proposal was approved on Wednesday (15), the same day the court ruled that bonuses tied to appointed posts could be paid outside the constitutional salary cap for public servants. Both measures run counter to ongoing efforts to curb so-called “super salaries” in Brazil’s public sector. If approved, the bill would allow TCU employees receiving the higher bonuses to increase compensation above the constitutional ceiling without triggering the mechanism that reduces pay exceeding the cap. The current federal public sector salary ceiling is R$46,360 per month. Senate begins informal recess without voting government agenda Pension spending eases pressure on Brazil budget freeze The proposal follows a decision disclosed last week that allows bonuses paid to employees in non-career appointment positions or in appointed posts at the Federal Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, and the TCU itself to be excluded from the salary cap. In practice, the ruling enables these employees to receive part of their compensation without being subject to the constitutional limit, contrary to the interpretation previously established by Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF). TCU President Vital do Rêgo said the proposed increase is intended to “promote greater convergence with compensation models adopted by other federal Legislative and Executive branch institutions, while observing parameters compatible with the complexity of the duties performed by holders of trusted positions and the level of responsibility required.” The proposal is expected to have a R$27.7 million fiscal impact in 2027. According to the public spending watchdog, “the estimated financial impact of the increase represents a small portion of the Court’s overall budget and is fully compatible with its budgetary and financial capacity.” The court also said the proposal complies with the Budgetary Guidelines Law (LDO), the Fiscal Responsibility Law, and Brazil’s fiscal framework. In the bill’s explanatory memorandum, Vital do Rêgo argues that bonuses for appointed positions have fallen behind over time. “Enhancing compensation for appointed positions is therefore necessary not only to properly recognize the responsibilities assumed by their holders, but also to ensure the continuity of the technical excellence that has historically characterized the work of the Federal Court of Accounts,” the document reads. The proposal drew criticism from organizations that monitor public sector spending. “It is embarrassing for the country that oversight bodies are disregarding the Constitution to serve their interests, contributing to the proliferation of privileges at taxpayers’ expense,” said Juliana Sakai, executive director of Transparência Brasil. República.org warned that the TCU’s decision carries a high risk of triggering a ripple effect by expanding pay privileges. “To benefit as many as 25,700 public servants, the TCU is paving the way for similar claims from other public sector careers at the federal, state, and municipal levels, creating additional pressure on public finances while widening pay disparities and distortions across the civil service,” the organization said.