The Chamber's Administration and Public Service Commission (Casp) will debate next Wednesday, April 3rd, the potential transfer of federal lotteries to a subsidiary of the Federal Savings Bank (Caixa Econômica Federal). Union pressure for the debate has been led in the House by deputies Erika Kokay and Tadeu Veneri, who point out the risk of lottery privatization if they are transferred to Loterias CAIXA.
The Board of Directors of CEF had scheduled a meeting to discuss the matter, but in the face of pressure from union entities, postponed the debate. Nevertheless, the deputies intend to hear a representative from the Ministry of Finance and entities linked to Caixa.
Erika Kokay and Tadeu Veneri question the motivation, legality, socio-economic impact of the measure, and potential reduction of the funds collected to be allocated to social actions if the transfer occurs and Loterias CAIXA is privatized.
Both deputies' request was approved at the last Casp meeting on the 26th, and the Committee scheduled the hearing for April 3rd at 2:00 PM. In the justification for holding the public hearing, Kokay and Veneri express concern about the transfer and potential privatization of Loterias CAIXA.
"We know that Caixa's lotteries have been crucial in reducing social inequalities in the country, through the allocation of resources to social policies. About 40% of Caixa Loterias' profit is for investments in health, education, and social projects. According to data released by the bank, in 2023, out of the R$ 23.4 billion collected in Lotteries, R$ 9.2 billion went to social purposes."
In the request, the deputies recall that during Michel Temer's government, the decision was made to privatize Lotex and that Caixa was not authorized to participate in the auction, which was won by the Consórcio Estrela da Sorte (IGT and Scientific Games). "After a few years and without performing the service, the consortium gave up the operation. As a result, the government went 7 years without collecting revenue from instant lotteries," they emphasize.
Still in the justification, Kokay and Veneri accuse Rita Serrano's management at Caixa of leaving Loterias CAIXA non-operational with the aim of ending the company's activities, "which did not exercise administration over any type of service, only bringing costs to the headquarters for years due to the payments of directors' and employees' salaries."
The deputies emphasize that "the lotteries belong to the State, Caixa is only the Manager." And they argue that "the current law establishes exclusivity of lottery management by Caixa," questioning whether "to change the administration to another CNPJ, wouldn't a change in the law be necessary?".
Casp still awaits confirmation from the Ministry of Finance regarding the participation of a representative from the Department, as well as from the Executive Commission of Caixa Employees, the National Federation of CEF Personnel Associations (Fenae), and the Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies (Febralot).
For now, the president of the National Confederation of Financial Sector Workers of CUT, Juvandia Moreira Leite, has confirmed virtual attendance.
Source: GMB
