The federal government officially transferred the management of Unemployment Insurance for Artisanal Fishermen from the National Social Security Institute (INSS) to the Ministry of Labor and Employment. 
The benefit, equivalent to a monthly minimum wage (currently R$1,518), is granted to artisanal fishermen during the closed season, when the capture of some aquatic species is prohibited to protect the reproduction of these species.
The new rules come into force this Wednesday (4), with the publication of the Provisional Measure (MP) No. 1,323 in the Official Gazette of the Union.
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Defense insurance
Signed by the President of the Republic Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister Luiz Marinho, the Law establishes that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, and no longer the federal institute linked to the Ministry of Social Security, to receive and process applications and qualify beneficiaries for defense insurance.
The Provisional Measure also establishes a limit for the allocation of federal resources to pay the benefit. This year, exceptionally, expenditure cannot exceed R$7.325 billion.
From 2026 onwards, the amount spent in the previous year will be corrected by the variation in the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) in the period. The federal government must demonstrate that expenditures will not exceed the fiscal framework.
To avoid fraud, the new text reinforces that only fisherman who prove that they reside in cities covered by or bordering the areas where the closure is established will be entitled to receive the benefit.
In addition, the applicant must present copies of invoices for the fish sold in at least six of the 12 months prior to the start of the closure.
The applicant must also be registered in the Single Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico) and have a biometric registration.
Artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen will be able to request the benefit of defense insurance through the Digital Work Card application or through the Emprega Brasil portal.
On these same channels, it will be possible to monitor the progress of the license, check payments and register review requests.
