Brasília, March 3, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The bill that envisages incentives to teach workers to read and write at construction sites may be extended to all branches of business. An amendment to this effect was presented yesterday (2) by Senator César Borges (PFL-BA), in the Senate Economic Affairs Commission (CAE).

The original project, authored by Senator Paulo Octávio (PFL-DF), proposes the creation of the Literacy and Citizenship on the Job Program (Pace), meant only for construction companies. Borges commended the proposal, but he argued that it is restrictive, because it does not benefit other segments of workers who could also have classes in their workplaces.

The program determines that firms offer free literacy classes to their employees. In return, they would be given preference in obtaining loans from federal government institutions such as the Federal Savings Bank and the National Economic and Social Development Bank. In addition, the firms that adhered to the Pace would receive a "Builder of Citizenship Company" seal from the federal government.

Voting on the project, however, was postponed, to satisfy a review request by Senator Fernando Bezerra. After being voted in the CAE, the project returns to the Education Commission, which has the final say, sending it directly to the President for ratification, without submitting it to a floor vote. (DAS)