Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a new law on Tuesday to expand the country’s affirmative action policies. The law increases the quota for government jobs reserved for Blacks from 20% to 30% and includes Indigenous people and descendants of Afro-Brazilian enslaved individuals as beneficiaries. These changes apply to candidates seeking permanent and public employment positions within Brazil’s federal administration, agencies, public foundations, public companies, and state-run mixed-capital companies. The quota will be revised in 2035 as approved by Congress.
Lula emphasized the importance of creating a society reflective of its diversity within public offices. He noted the underrepresentation of women, Black people, and Indigenous individuals in government positions. The first law on racial quotas for government jobs in Brazil was approved in 2014 by former President Dilma Rousseff, extending an existing affirmative action policy from state-run universities to public administration roles.
According to Brazil’s government statement, the percentage of Black and mixed-race individuals in top government positions increased from 25% in 2014 to 36% in 2024. Despite progress, Black individuals remain underrepresented in the public service, often holding lower-wage positions. Management and Innovation Minister Esther Dweck highlighted the necessity of the new law due to a lack of new government job opportunities for minority candidates in recent years.
Statistics show that 55% of Brazil’s population consists of Black or mixed-race individuals, with over 70% of those living below the poverty line belonging to these groups. However, only 1% of people from Black and mixed-race backgrounds hold leadership roles in the private sector. The government aims to address these disparities through the expanded affirmative action measures.
