Brazil: Lula signs a decree that reserves up to 30% of public administration jobs for black people

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) signed a decree on Tuesday, 21, that will guarantee to black people up to 30% of vacancies in commission positions and trust functions in the Executive Branch structure, including direct administration, autarchies, and foundations.

The goal is to increase the presence of blacks in leadership positions.

“Despite being the second largest black nation in the world, Brazil still hasn’t come to terms with 350 years of slavery.”

“Despite all the efforts and advances, this country still has an immense historical debt to redeem,” said the president in a speech after signing the decree during a ceremony at the Planalto Palace on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

On occasion, Lula recalled that the Lei Áurea, which abolished formal slavery in the country in 1888, took the population from the confinement of the “senzalas” [slave quarters] to the confinement of the worst social statistics to date.

“Housing, employment, education, health, public safety. Whatever the indicator, black men and, especially, black women are always the most excluded,” he pointed out.

The decree establishes that the quotas will be for the Executive Commissioned Positions (CCE), which are of free nomination, and the Executive Commissioned Functions (FCE), which are also of free nomination, but exclusively for public servants.

Moreover, according to the decree, the federal public administration has until December 31, 2026, to reach the minimum percentage of vacancy reserve stipulated.

With information from Agência Brasil

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