Brazil Fumes over Pay Blog #3

                 In America we typically view government jobs as a great source of income and benefits. In Brazil the pay is extremely well and maybe even unfair. Highway department engineers are being paid $263,000 a year which is more than the nation’s president. Public employees in Sao Paulo like court auditors and parking valets are earning more than the city Mayor. These public employees earn anywhere from $11,500-$25,000 a month, while school teachers and police officers earn only $1000. Sao Paulo State Judges earn more in a month than Judges in New York state do in a year. Brazil finances itself through tax collection and issuing debt services. Out of 30 other developed countries Brazil was ranked last in the quality of services citizens receive for the taxes they pay. Law makers have been scrutinized for their spending habits. The freedom on information law is intended to expose practices such as legislators granting 18month salary to their selves in a year.

                It should not be a problem that government employees are earning a huge salary. The problem lies in who decides who gets which pay. I thought it was surprising that the even Police officers don’t get paid as much as valet parkers. You would think that police work, such a protecting the citizens of the city, would earn more than just $1000 a month. It seems that those who make the laws are being paid substantially more than other occupations. That seems to be no coincidence. The freedom of information law may just help expose the inequality of wages in Brazil.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/world/americas/brazil-seethes-over-public-officials-super-salaries.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&&pagewanted=print