Brazil Ministry of Labor launches new digital platforms for worker benefits

The Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) announced that the new digital system for the Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador (PAT) entered full operation on Thursday, 25 June. The platform consolidates registration, data management and operational processes for beneficiary companies, collective food service providers and payment facilitators, modernising the program that supports low‑income workers.

In a separate initiative, the Ministry disclosed that a new function in the Digital Work Permit (CTPS Digital) will allow workers to pledge portions of their severance payments and FGTS balances as collateral for loans under the Crédito do Trabalhador scheme. The feature will be active from Tuesday, 23 June, permitting up to 35 % of severance amounts, up to 10 % of FGTS balances and up to 100 % of the FGTS termination fine to be used as guarantees. Employers must register these guarantees through the Emprega Brasil portal and reflect related deductions in eSocial and FGTS Digital filings.