brazils economy minister paulo guedes gestures during a meeting at economic affairs committee cae of the brazilian federal senate in brasilia brazil march 27 2019 reutersueslei marcelinofile photo brasilia sept 20 reuters  brazilian economy minister paulo guedes said on tuesday that efficiency gains by the government will allow for salaries to be increased after years of no meaningful hike in minimum wages and a salary freeze for public servants speaking virtually at an event hosted by the brazilian association of supermarkets abras guedes highlighted efficiency gains with the digitization of public services and noted that the current administration has not replaced many retired public servants we will be able to give moderate salary increases and based on prospective inflation from now on from now on we will maintain purchasing power or even increase the purchasing power of salaries he said the government of president jair bolsonaro who seeks reelection in october but trails former leftist president luiz inacio lula da silva in opinion polls set aside 142 billion reais 276 billion to finance higher wages for public servants in the 2023 budget bill sent to congress read more the proposal did not specify the adjustment percentage or which public servants and professions were being considered for wage increases the government has been under intense pressure by public servants for a wage increase as inflation eroded their purchasing power in latin americas largest economy the budget bill projected no gains on minimum wages beyond inflation during the event guedes also said bolsonaros government this year intends to privatize santos port  the largest in latin america  after setting the minimum price of 3015 billion reais 58632 million for the privatization auction on tuesday