Brazil pays R$874 million to over 149,000 artisanal fishermen

Over 149,000 artisanal fishermen across Brazil began receiving retroactive seguro‑defeso payments on Tuesday, July 7. The single‑installment disbursements, made through simplified or savings accounts at Caixa, total R$874 million and cover periods prior to 2026 as authorized by Law 15.399/2026. Beneficiaries, whose claims had already been approved, can check eligibility via the Digital Work Card app or the Emprega Brasil portal. The benefit provides an amount equivalent to one minimum wage per month during the closed fishing season.

The payment operation is coordinated by the National Institute of Social Security (INSS), the Ministry of Social Security, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, and Dataprev. In parallel, the Chamber of Deputies’ Agriculture, Livestock, Supply and Rural Development Commission approved Project Law 7144/25, allowing artisanal fishermen to perform temporary work during the defeso period without losing the insurance, provided earnings do not exceed one minimum wage. The proposal, aimed at linking the benefit to income‑diversification programs, now proceeds to further commission reviews and must be approved by both legislative houses.