Brasília, 24 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The federal government will spend R$8 billion (US$2.8 billion) in funds from the Worker Assistance Fund (FAT) in order to create 4 million jobs by the end of the year. The announcement was made yesterday by president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, after a FAT board meeting.

All told, the Brazilian economy will receive an injection of R$17 billion (US$5.9 billion) by December. Besides the FAT funds, another R$9 billion (US$3,1 billion) is going directly to workers as part of a monetary correction of the Mandatory Worker Savings Fund (FGTS). (AB)