Government wants to expand PAT coverage to 15 million workers

28/04/2003 - 14h10

São Paulo, April 28, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Minister of Food Security and Hunger Alleviation, José Graziano, confirmed that the government plans to increase to 15 million the number of workers served by the Workers' Food Program (PAT). The PAT, which currently serves 7 million workers, provides income tax discounts of 4% to firms that offer subsidies to employees to meet their food needs.

According to Graziano, one of the ways to expand the program is to create incentives for micro and small firms to adopt it. Currently, firms that make less money are exempt from income tax. (DAS)