1/22/18
The Union of Petroleum Workers (FUP) announced a set of political and legal measures to prevent the approval of the onerous assignment bill (PLC 78/2018). According to FUP, one of the reasons for this proposal is that the surplus of 15 billion barrels would be worth R $ 500 billion and that, for the bill being processed in the Senate, the surplus would be sold for R $ 100 billion.
Senator Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ) presented six amendments to the bill. Among them, the one that proposes that Petrobras maintains itself as operator of consortiums to be formed in the area of onerous assignment. In addition to this, another amendment proposes that the Federal Government keep 70% of the grant, dividing the remainder to the states and municipalities, with 15% each. The amendments were presented on Tuesday (21).
In addition, the union’s legal counsel has filed a lawsuit to challenge the government for preparatory acts on the bill. Prior to the approval of PLC 78/2018, the Temer government sent an auction notice for prior review by the Union Court of Audit (TCU). The FUP stated that it will prepare an application for admission as an interested party in the process, as well as file a complaint with the TCU Public Prosecutor.
In the past, unions linked to oil workers have shown that they have the strength to, if not prevent, at least delaying the progress. The most emblematic was the divestments, which forced Petrobras to close an agreement with the TCU to proceed with the sale of assets.
Of the 15 amendments received by the bill, three are from Senator Aécio Neves (PSDB / MG). The senator from Minas Gerais wants, among other things, to reduce to 20% the share of the signature bonus to be divided between states and municipalities. In a meeting last week with governors, led by the governor-elect of Sao Paulo, João Doria, the president-elect said he would share 100% of the revenue with the states.
The large number of amendments received may delay voting on the bill. If that happens, it will be another defeat of the political articulation of President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.
Source: Brazil Energy
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