The price of diesel in Brazil rose more than 24% after the state oil company, Petrobras, announced another price adjustment. Gas (19%) and cooking gas (16%) were also readjusted. The measure has already been affecting the income of Brazilian workers.
"When I had to pay lower bills, I had to work 8 or 7 hours daily. Now, I must work between 10 and 11 hours every day to make ends meet", says the app delivery worker José Wathynson.
The economist Fábio Sobral belives that the pricing policy addopted by Petrobras is responsible for sucessive price hikes. "[Petrobras] chose to give the profits to the shareholders and not reinvest it in the process of refining oil or the distribution of oil and gas. Petrobras became a predatory company regarding the national market", says Sobral.
Also on What's Happening in Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro's government is denounced in the United Nations Human Rights Council due to acts of violence committed against indigenous peoples.
On the culture segment, listen to Gustavo Amaral, a singer and songwriter that has in his spirituality a source of inspiration to his music.
All What's Happening in Brazil episodes are available at Brasil de Fato's YouTube channel, where you'll also find a special English-content playlist. Partners who wish to include a longer version of the show in their schedule may contact our international team at [email protected].
For more news about Brazil and our region, visit our website.
Edited by: Arturo Hartmann
