The Sorocaba City Council in São Paulo state approved a salary increase for municipal public servants during an extraordinary session held on Tuesday. The approved measures include two projects, one from the city executive and another from the council’s board, which collectively grant a 4.2% increase to offset inflation, alongside a 1% real wage increase.

The financial implications of the approved salary increase were assessed by the Human Resources Secretariat. It estimates that the costs for municipal employees will reach R$ 98 million in 2026 and slightly increase to R$ 106 million by 2028. Additionally, the projected salary expenses for the city council staff alone will grow from R$ 3 million in 2026 to R$ 3.2 million in 2028. This financial planning reflects the city's intent to support its workforce amid rising living costs.

However, the approval of the salary increase was met with criticism from some council members. Councillor Izídio de Brito expressed concerns about the lack of public discussion with workers unions, and fellow member Fernanda Garcia labeled the 1% real increase as a setback compared to last year’s increase of 2.17%. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between local government initiatives and the expectations of public sector employees regarding fair compensation and representation.