The political economy of the Workers’ Assitance Fund: an analysis of its recent performance (2005-2018)

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the political and economic factors that conditioned the recent evolution of the public employment system in Brazil, focusing on the operational mechanisms of the Workers’ Assistance Fund (FAT). Based on the accounting information of the annual periods, it was found that such financing arrangement has shown signs of fragility, with a reduction in the capacity to cover all of its current expenses. However, the imbalances are largely explained by economic policy decisions that have caused significant leaks in recent years, especially budget disengagement and tax relief.