Brasília, November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Social Security, José Cechin, met with the International Monetary Fund mission on Thursday (14) and told them that he believes the new government will be able to get legislation in place that will make it possible to reduce the social security system deficit. "They have enormous legitimacy which will enable them to get congressional approval," he said. Cechin explained that the origin of the PT, in Brazil's working class, would make that possible.

He said that among proposals under study are increasing the minimum period of contributions to the system, presently at ten and a half years, and making the retirement age for rural workers the same as for urban workers (it is presently five years lower). (AB)