The Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, reaffirmed, this Wednesday (10), the defense of national sovereignty. "Brazil doesn't lower its head to anyone, and we defend our economic policy around the world," he said. Related news: Plano Brasil Soberano adopts new rules and more companies can join. Brazil wants to convince the US that an agreement would be better than taxing 25%. Lula blames the Bolsonaro clan for the US attack on Pix and taxation. The minister's speech takes place in the context of recent announcements made by the United States of trade barriers and increased tariffs imposed on inputs and manufactured products that directly affect Brazilian exports. In this sense, Durigan also signaled that Pix – today a global reference in banking and technological innovation – is a strategic asset that will continue under strict governance by the Brazilian State against global interference. "The first demand, the first task I have is to protect sovereignty alongside President Lula, especially in our Pix." The statements were made during the opening of the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development (CDESS), at the Itamaraty Palace. This year, the motto of the debates of the so-called Council is “From national sovereignty to global protagonism”. Respect When reporting on recent agendas at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the G20 and the G7, the Finance Minister highlighted that the international community recognizes Brazilian leadership in the economic, environmental and energy transition debate, demanding that the country be treated with equality and respect. “Brazil is a world leader and we do not give up on being treated with respect and treating all countries, all other communities and cultures in the world with respect,” he said. Social calendar Durigan also dealt with issues of social appeal and public safety. Regarding the 6x1 scale, he highlighted that maintaining this model perpetuates inequality and burdens lower-paid workers, black workers and women working double shifts, while sectors that operate on more flexible scales (5x2) concentrate the best salaries and study opportunities. "Those who are already on the 5 to 2 scale are those who earn more, have had time and often family opportunities to study for longer. And those on the 6 to 1 scale are the lowest paid workers, black workers, women and those who still accumulate work with domestic chores and other responsibilities, who are overloaded." At the end of May, the Chamber of Deputies approved the proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that ends the 6x1 scale. The PEC will have its processing schedule defined this week in the Senate. The proposal establishes the obligation of two days of rest per week, in addition to reducing working hours from the current 44 hours to 40 hours per week, without a salary reduction. Siege of bets The minister compared the treatment given to online betting houses in previous administrations to what was practiced under the Lula government. According to him, before, they "had the same immunity as churches". “Today, bets pay more than the average for business sectors and, today, they pass the data and are being monitored.” Durigan highlighted that this work has already resulted in the overthrow of more than 30 thousand irregular companies and the ban on the use of the credit card market for betting, aiming to protect the family budget. The Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, during the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Sustainable Social Economic Development (CDESS), at Palácio Itamaraty - Photo: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil Asphyxiation to organized crime The minister announced cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) and the North American government to attack the financial flow of criminal factions. The strategy, operated via the Federal Revenue, Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf) and Federal Police, will be to freeze the assets of organized crime. "Combating the financial flow of organized crime, I believe, is the most important thing for us to stop this evil that continues to cause serious damage to our community", he concluded. Industrial growth In a speech to the councilors, the Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Márcio Elias Rosa, presented an overview of the country's reindustrialization. The minister listed the results that have revived the Brazilian economy, such as the increase in the average salary and the lowest informality rate in the historical series. He detailed falling unemployment, with the rate at 5.6%, consolidating at the lowest historical average; the record of 103 million Brazilians formally employed; and the highest average income, reaching a level between R$3,370 and R$3,732. "These social indicators are only obtained because the industry started to grow again. It grew in 2024 with the launch of Nova Indústria Brasil, 3.1%. In the first four months, it already increased by 1.7%. That's why we had more than 7.6 million formal positions in the sector", highlighted Elias Rosa.