More than 5 thousand MP prosecutors earn above the constitutional ceiling of R$ 41.6 thousand

Almost half of the prosecutors in Brazilian state Public Ministries receive salaries that exceed the constitutional ceiling for public service, established at R$41,600, according to a survey by the newspaper The state of Sao Paulo published this Monday (15). According to the investigation, more than 75% of prosecutors in eight states receive these super salaries.

The calculation took into account data from October 2023 from all 26 states and the Federal District, a month chosen because it does not have year-end bonuses. In that month alone, state Public Prosecutor’s Offices spent R$696.8 million on the country’s 11,200 attorneys and prosecutors. In annual figures, this amount reaches around R$8.3 billion.

The fixed monthly allowance for a state prosecutor varies between R$32,300 and R$37,600, but is inflated by tax-exempt compensation funds and not subject to the ceiling. Compensatory licenses, bonus licenses and benefits such as housing allowance, education allowance and daycare allowance contribute to many people exceeding the constitutional limit.

The Public Ministry of Santa Catarina leads the payment of super salaries, with prosecutors receiving an average of R$106,600 gross in October – R$92,300 net. The amount cost R$53 million to public coffers. Only 10 state members (2%) did not earn above the cap.

Next, prosecutors from Rio de Janeiro (R$ 93.3 thousand) and Rondônia (R$ 86.3 thousand) appear at the top of the ranking.

In 20 states, 20% or more of prosecutors receive salaries that exceed the cap. Some MPs claim that the subsidies are within the limit, excluding compensation funds authorized by the Constitution.

In addition to high salaries above the constitutional ceiling, the investigation showed that access to information may also undergo changes in order to reduce the transparency of public data.

A resolution approved at the end of last year by the National Council of the Public Ministry (CNMP) will oblige citizens to identify themselves to consult data relating to prosecutors’ salaries and benefits.