Paulo Paim
Encyclopedia
Paulo Paim is a Brazil
ian steelworker turned politician
. He served as a federal deputy from Rio Grande do Sul
for the Workers' Party
(Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT) from 1987 to 2002. On 2002, he was elected Senator
from the same state. Re-elected in 2010, he is currently the only Afro-Brazilian
Senator. He also served as Vice-President of trade union center
Central Única dos Trabalhadores
(CUT) from 1984 to 1986.
, Rio Grande do Sul
, on March 15, 1950. He became a trained steelworker after receiving a professional education
degree from SENAI
. Paim worked on Abramo Eberle and Forjasul metallurgical factories before becoming the president of the Canoas
steelworkers trade union on 1981. Two years later, he became Secretary-General of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores
, prior to becoming the Vice-President of that same organization on 1984.
(Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT) and, in the following year, became a federal deputy for the party. As a constituent deputy, he would engage in the writing of the current Constitution of Brazil
. From 1989 to 1991, Paim was the deputy leader for the PT in the Chamber of Deputies
. From 1993 to 1994, he was the head of the Chamber's Labour, Administration and Public Service committee. On 1997, he authored a bill which would be enacted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
as the Elderly Statute, a set of laws which guarantees the rights of elderly people in Brazil. He became nationally known after the adoption of US$ 100 minimum wage, which he had proposed. Paim would later spark controversy, in 2001, after he ripped a copy of the Constitution as a protest to a bill seeking to change the Consolidation of Labor Laws
.
On 2002, Paim was elected to the Federal Senate after a close race with fellow party member Emília Fernandes, the Senator for Rio Grande do Sul. From 2003 to 2005, he was Vice-President of the Senate. From 2007 to 2009, he was President of the upper house's Human Rights and Participative Legislation committee. In the Senate, Paim became known for defending higher pension
checks for the retired
people. On 2010, Paim was re-elected Senator for Rio Grande do Sul with almost 34% of the valid votes. He received over 3.8 million votes; 479,362 more than Governor Tarso Genro
, a fellow member of PT.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian steelworker turned politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served as a federal deputy from Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
for the Workers' Party
Workers' Party (Brazil)
The Workers' Party is a democratic socialist political party in Brazil. Launched in 1980, it is recognized as one of the largest and most important left-wing movements of Latin America. It governs at the federal level in a coalition government with several other parties since January 1, 2003...
(Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT) from 1987 to 2002. On 2002, he was elected Senator
Senate of Brazil
The Federal Senate of Brazil is the upper house of the National Congress of Brazil. Created by the first Constitution of the Brazilian Empire in 1824, it was inspired by the United Kingdom's House of Lords, but with the Proclamation of the Republic in 1889 it became closer to the United States...
from the same state. Re-elected in 2010, he is currently the only Afro-Brazilian
Afro-Brazilian
In Brazil, the term "preto" is one of the five categories used by the Brazilian Census, along with "branco" , "pardo" , "amarelo" and "indígena"...
Senator. He also served as Vice-President of trade union center
National trade union center
A national trade union center is a federation or confederation of trade unions in a single country. Nearly every country in the world has a national trade union center, and many have more than one. When there is more than one national center, it is often because of ideological differences—in some...
Central Única dos Trabalhadores
Central Única dos Trabalhadores
-See also:*Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores*Força Sindical-External links:...
(CUT) from 1984 to 1986.
Early life
Paulo Renato Paim was born in Caxias do SulCaxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. Coordinates: 29°10′0″ S, 51°11′0″ W....
, Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
, on March 15, 1950. He became a trained steelworker after receiving a professional education
Professional development
Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning...
degree from SENAI
SENAI
Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial , Portuguese language for National Service for Industrial Training is a network of not-for-profit secondary level professional schools established and maintained by the Brazilian Confederation of Industry...
. Paim worked on Abramo Eberle and Forjasul metallurgical factories before becoming the president of the Canoas
Canoas
Canoas , which won city status in 1939, is the fourth largest city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Its population is over 300,000 people. The city is adjacent to the capital of the gaúcho state: Porto Alegre...
steelworkers trade union on 1981. Two years later, he became Secretary-General of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores
Central Única dos Trabalhadores
-See also:*Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores*Força Sindical-External links:...
, prior to becoming the Vice-President of that same organization on 1984.
Political career
On 1985, Paim became a member of the Workers' PartyWorkers' Party (Brazil)
The Workers' Party is a democratic socialist political party in Brazil. Launched in 1980, it is recognized as one of the largest and most important left-wing movements of Latin America. It governs at the federal level in a coalition government with several other parties since January 1, 2003...
(Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT) and, in the following year, became a federal deputy for the party. As a constituent deputy, he would engage in the writing of the current Constitution of Brazil
Constitution of Brazil
During its independent political history, Brazil has had seven constitutions. The most recent was ratified on October 5, 1988.-Imperial Constitution :Background...
. From 1989 to 1991, Paim was the deputy leader for the PT in the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Brazil
The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. As of 2006, the chamber comprises 513 deputies, who are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms...
. From 1993 to 1994, he was the head of the Chamber's Labour, Administration and Public Service committee. On 1997, he authored a bill which would be enacted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, served as the 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in the 2002 election, and was inaugurated as...
as the Elderly Statute, a set of laws which guarantees the rights of elderly people in Brazil. He became nationally known after the adoption of US$ 100 minimum wage, which he had proposed. Paim would later spark controversy, in 2001, after he ripped a copy of the Constitution as a protest to a bill seeking to change the Consolidation of Labor Laws
Consolidation of Labor Laws
The Consolidation of Labor Laws is the decree which governs labor relations in Brazil. It was issued in 1943 by Getúlio Vargas, President of Brazil. The Constitution allowed him to issue decrees to regulate all matters that were supposed to be regulated by the federal legislative branch while the...
.
On 2002, Paim was elected to the Federal Senate after a close race with fellow party member Emília Fernandes, the Senator for Rio Grande do Sul. From 2003 to 2005, he was Vice-President of the Senate. From 2007 to 2009, he was President of the upper house's Human Rights and Participative Legislation committee. In the Senate, Paim became known for defending higher pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
checks for the retired
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
people. On 2010, Paim was re-elected Senator for Rio Grande do Sul with almost 34% of the valid votes. He received over 3.8 million votes; 479,362 more than Governor Tarso Genro
Tarso Genro
Tarso Fernando Herz Genro is a Brazilian politician, and a member of the Workers' Party . As a result of the Mensalão scandal, Genro served the remainder of José Genoíno's term as party president in 2005...
, a fellow member of PT.