Consigned: trade unionists accuse banks of ‘blackmail’ – 03/16/2023 – Panel SA

The union centrals reacted to the decision of the banks to suspend the INSS payroll loan operations after the CNPS (National Social Security Council) approved a drop from 2.14% per month to 1.70% in the ceiling of the modality this week.

In a communiqué released this Thursday (16) with the signature of the presidents of trade unions such as CUT, Força Sindical, UGT, CTB (Central dos Trabalhadores do Brasil), CSB (Central dos Sindicatos Brasileiros) and Nova Central, the entities say that the banks “do blackmail” and that the unions will charge the government. They also claim that the cut in the rate is in line with the aspirations of the electorate of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and that they will call for acts to defend the measure.

“The centrals express their indignation and vehemently condemn the blackmail of the banks to suspend the payroll loan modality for retirees, after the reduction of the rates by the National Social Security Council. This attitude of the banks demonstrates that the thirst for profits has no limits , and it is unacceptable that retirees and pensioners are harmed in this way”, states the text.

This Thursday (15), a number of banks such as Bradesco, Itaú, Pan, Banco Mercantil do Brasil, C6 Bank and Bem Promotora, one of Banrisul’s channels, decided to temporarily suspend the product. The wave confirms predictions that industry executives have been making in recent days that there was a risk of cutting the product supply.

Still in the statement released by the centrals, they argue that “the payroll loan is a credit line with a low default rate, and the discount is on payroll, which makes the operation safer and more accessible”. The banking sector, on the other hand, argues that, after the fall in the rate, the new interest levels do not support the product’s cost structure and the new ceilings may reduce the supply of payroll loans.

The centrals claim that they will charge the government to use Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal to guarantee lines of credit for retirees and pensioners who need it with the new rates released by the CNPS.

“It is necessary that the State assumes its social responsibility and guarantees access for retirees and pensioners. And it does not give in to the squeamishness of a group of banks that do not accept to reduce their profits in such difficult times for the Brazilian people”, says the statement.

The drop in payroll interest was defended by Minister Carlos Lupi (Social Security), who classified the previous interest rate as “criminal”.

“The decision by the CNPS and Minister Carlos Lupi is in line with the wishes of the people who went to the polls to defeat the anti-people measures that have taken over Brazil in recent years. It is necessary for the government to act firmly and effectively to guarantee the rights of the working class, and do not give in to the interests of the banks and the financial market”, say the trade union centrals.

In a note, Febraban states that each institution has its commercial strategy and there was no collective decision. “Banks that offer payroll have not reported to Febraban the suspension of the payroll line for INSS retirees. As this decision is not a sectoral initiative, each bank has its own commercial policy for granting credit, and it is not up to reporting to Febraban the lines of credit. credit they grant or fail to grant”, says the federation.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins It is Diego Felix

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