Brazil pledges loans to truckers in attempt to avoid strikes

The Brazilian government has pledged US$129m in bank loans for independent truck drivers today, among other measures, to avert possibilities of another strike. However, the government is yet to address truckers’ complaints on diesel pricing. Brazilian truckers went on an 11-day strike last May heavily impacting the country’s economy.

Em coletiva, na manhã desta terça-feira, o Ministro-Chefe da Casa Civil, @onyxlorenzoni, anuncia linha de crédito, via BNDES, que garante R$500 milhões para os caminhoneiros, sendo que o limite de financiamento por motorista é de R$ 30 mil. pic.twitter.com/rBjXo1LFAN

— Ministério da Infraestrutura (@MInfraestrutura) 16 April 2019

The presidential Chief of Staff Onyx Lorenzoni and Infrastructure Minister Tarcisio Freitas announced the concessions to truckers at a press conference but failed to address lorry drivers’ complaints regarding soaring diesel prices. They assured that meetings this week with President Jair Bolsonaro will deal with diesel pricing issues, currently controlled by the state-run oil company, Petrobras.

Petrobras conceded a 9% drop in share price last week after Bolsonaro’s government called off a sharp diesel price increase, leading investors into fears of political influence at the firm. Brazil’s economy heavily relies on road freight for moving agriculture cargo to ports. Bolsonaro has been sensitive to the needs of the truckers since the days of his election campaign, however, with mounting criticism from all sides the fate of Petrobras and the truckers is uncertain.

The government guaranteed a line of credit worth R$30,000 per driver, via Brazil’s National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES). The loan is restricted to independent drivers with two trucks per CPF.

“Já havíamos sinalizado isso para os caminhoneiros autônomos, restrito àqueles que têm dois caminhões por CPF”, afirmou o ministro @OnyxLorenzoni.

— Ministério da Infraestrutura (@MInfraestrutura) 16 April 2019

Another measure the government has also promised is new rest points for truckers at principle points on Brazil’s highways, allowing truckers to have safe places to rest with facilities to repair their trucks, refuel, eat, etc.

O ministro da Infraestrutura, Tarcísio Freitas, fala sobre novos pontos de descanso que serão viabilizados para caminhoneiros: pic.twitter.com/XlQV3nJZ2w

— Planalto (@planalto) 16 April 2019

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