RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Supreme Court justices in Brazil are getting a big pay raise that will trigger an increase of about $1 billion in public spending.
The bill approved Monday by President Michel Temer comes as the lame-duck administration argues for significant belt-tightening measures to help Brazil recover from a recession.
The 11 justices will now make around $10,101 a month instead of $8,659, a 16 percent increase. That raise will trigger a domino effect as several public sector wages are linked to the top court's threshold.
The raise is part of a deal between Temer and Brazil's Chief Justice Jose Dias Toffoli which would require judges and others to forgo a monthly housing allowance of $1,123.
Far-right Brazilian President-elect will take office on Jan. 1.
