Brazil: record unemployment, residents plunge into precariousness amplified by the pandemic

Audio 01:11

Vaccination campaign for the homeless in Rio de Janeiro, May 27, 2021. REUTERS - RICARDO MORAES

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

The unemployment rate is at record highs in Brazil with 14.7% of people unemployed.

A figure that has continued to increase since the start of the pandemic, which has hit hard this country which has recorded more than 450,000 victims of Covid-19.

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With our correspondent in Rio de Janeiro,

Sarah Cozzolino

On a small patch of grass, between two parking lots, Reinaldo swallows his lunch.

He lost his job at the start of the pandemic, and since January he has been working as an Uber driver.

But even if he's driving 12 hours a day, that's not enough.

" 

I am riddled with debt, I even have to repay the loan for my car," he

explains. 

If I have so much debt, it's because we can barely eat.

And unfortunately Uber is not enough for us, it does not pay well.

 "

Since his wife died of Covid-19 last year, he has been alone with his six children and four grandchildren, all of whom depend on his income.

“

 It's really, really difficult,”

he laments. 

We have no chance of getting out of it.

I no longer have dreams, we no longer have dreams… I don't believe in the future.

 "

"

 We feel helpless 

"

With tears in his eyes, Paulo, who shares his meal with him, regrets not being able to pay for his 18-year-old daughter.

He lost his job in private security.

“

 You feel helpless,” he

says.

 And everyone is in the same situation.

It's very noticeable if you walk down the street here: lots of people are lining up at a red light.

But in fact, the hardest part is not to fall into depression, that's the truth. 

"

While a third wave of coronavirus threatens Brazil, opponents of the government will march in the streets this Saturday to demand in particular the

return of emergency aid

. 

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  • Brazil

  • Employment and Work

  • Coronavirus

  • Poverty

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