Agreement could resolve impasse over bill that adjusts Caixa's payments to lottery agents.
The vote on the bill that adjusts the amounts paid by Caixa Econômica to lottery concessionaires for receiving payment slips and other agreements still depends on an agreement. This information was given in the Senate Plenary by the President of the Senate, Eunício Oliveira. According to Eunício, there are reports of an understanding between the parties involved—Caixa and the concessionaires—which would make the vote on PLC 1/2018 unnecessary.
"Since there was an understanding, I'm not going to break the agreement only to have the economic team veto it later and create a problem," said Eunício.
The statement came after Senator Omar Aziz (PSD-AM) called for a vote on the matter. The decision on the bill has been delayed since the end of April when the rapporteur, Senator Romero Jucá (PMDB-RR), asked senators to await an agreement between Caixa Econômica Federal and representatives of lottery operators.
The update to the fees paid by Caixa Econômica is a demand from lottery operators and banking correspondents. They claim that the fee paid by the state-owned bank per transaction is low. Caixa, in turn, says that if the text is voted on as it came from the Chamber of Deputies, companies such as energy and water companies may stop using banking correspondents.
"We can't cause harm to society, and especially not to these people who generate jobs in all municipalities of Brazil. With the remuneration they [lottery agents] are receiving, they can't support themselves," said Aziz, who highlighted the lack of bank branches in several cities in Amazonas.
Senator Ana Amélia (PP-RS) pointed out that many non-governmental organizations and charitable entities receive payments via bank slip. She argued that an increase in the cost of services would fall on these organizations, which would then receive a smaller percentage of the donations they receive.
Senator Vanessa Grazziotin (PCdoB-AM) stated that she was approached by lottery vendors who denied the existence of any agreement with Caixa Econômica Federal. She and Senator Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ) said they hope the situation will be resolved, since a large part of the population depends on lottery outlets for banking services.
Senator Cássio Cunha Lima (PSDB-PB) reported that, after prior understanding, an online consultation was opened for lottery agents and bank agents to express their views. The consultation period, he informed, runs until Thursday (10).
"I believe it's worth waiting until tomorrow to have the results of this collection of consultations being carried out throughout Brazil, via the internet, so that all lottery agents and banking agents can express their opinions," he said. ( Senate Agency – Photo: Jonas Pereira)
