Brazil reinforces security officers’ salaries for 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, launched on Tuesday the programs Cup Grant and Olympics Grant to bolster the salaries of policemen, firefighters and municipal guards that will work in the security of Brazil’s World Cup 2014 and Rio de Janeiro’s Olympics 2016.

The Cup Grant provides payment of benefits that amount to 500 reais (275 dollars) in 2010, value that will increase gradually to reach 1,000 reais (550 dollars) in 2014 for professionals operating in the cities hosting the tournament.

In its turn, the Olympics Grant, 1,200 reais (825 dollars), will be awarded monthly to those working in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The amount will be incorporated into the wages of security officers by the state governments up to the end of the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Justice Minister Tarso Genro, estimated that in 2011 the federal government will spend 1,300 million reais (715 million dollars) on these programs.

According to him, the Grants will benefit up to 230,000 professionals, who must attend refresher courses offered by the government.

Genro said the National Public Security Program is changing the paradigm of that area in the country, because it combines repression with qualified preventive actions, especially for youth.