Brazil Supreme Court invalidates Curitiba teachers' career plan laws

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruled that the municipal laws 14.544/2014 and 14.580/2014, which established a new career progression system and special retirement benefits for teachers in Curitiba, are unconstitutional. The justices found the statutes created personnel expenses without prior budget allocation or specific authorization in the annual budget law, violating article 169, paragraph 1 of the Brazilian Constitution. The decision, issued unanimously on 6 August, includes modulation of effects: the ruling takes immediate effect, but existing career brackets, salary progressions already received, and retirements granted to municipal education staff are preserved. The case originated after the mayor of Curitiba appealed a lower‑court ruling that had questioned the legality of the laws, arguing they were passed without the required fiscal backing.