Brazilian gov't extends emergency aid to workers till end of year

BRASILIA - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday announced he was extending emergency financial aid to people impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, through the end of the year.

Those who have lost their jobs or are earning less due to lockdown measures will receive monthly payments of 300 reals (about 56 US dollars) for the remaining four months in the year.

The aid is going to workers in the informal sector, individual micro-entrepreneurs, the self-employed and the unemployed during the health crisis.

The initial emergency payments, which began in April, amounted to 600 reals (about 112 US dollars).

According to government figures, a total of 67.2 million Brazilians have received the emergency aid, and around 4.4 million households managed to get by in July solely on the funding.