New PAT Regulation Limits Discount Rate

The Discount Rate The application of food vouchers and meal vouchers is a central theme in discussions about the Worker's Food Program (PAT).

The new regulatory decree promises to bring significant changes, such as limiting this fee and reducing the time it takes to pass it on to retailers.

In this article, we will analyze the implications of these changes, the impact on competition, the benefits for low-income workers, and the reactions of industry associations, which have expressed concerns about fraud and irregularities that may arise from these reforms.

Context and Scope of the Worker's Food Program

Created in 1976 by Law No. 6,321The Worker's Food Program (PAT) has played a crucial role over the decades, promoting nutritional health in the workplace.

Primarily aimed at workers earning up to five minimum wages, the program has established itself as an essential tool for improving the quality of life for millions of Brazilians.

Currently, the PAT benefits more than 21.5 million workers, encompassing a wide range of participating companies, from small businesses to large corporations.

A key aspect of the program is its ability to move a significant volume of money, reaching approximately R$ 150 billion annuallyThis reflects not only its impact on the well-being of workers, but also on boosting the national economy.

The social importance of the PAT (Food Assistance Program) is further highlighted when one considers that it continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary needs.

With recent regulations, as mentioned in decree signed by President LulaThe goal is to strengthen competition and reduce the costs associated with food vouchers and meal vouchers.

These measures aim to provide greater transparency and efficiency in the use of resources, benefiting both workers and merchants.

In this way, the PAT (Food Assistance Program) not only consolidates itself as an essential program for promoting health and food security, but also fosters sustainable economic development, meeting the demands of a constantly transforming market.

Main Changes Envisioned in the Decree

The new decree regulating the Worker's Food Program (PAT) brings significant changes aimed at improving the system's efficiency.

One of the main changes is the limitation of the merchant discount rate, which will be set between 3.5% and 4%, promoting a more competitive environment.

Furthermore, the timeframe for transferring payments to retailers will be reduced from 30 to 15 days, optimizing transaction settlement and benefiting workers.

Limitation of the Discount Rate for Food Vouchers and Meal Vouchers

The decree that regulates the Worker's Food Program (PAT) establishes a discount ceiling between 3,5% It is 4% in the fees applied to establishments that accept food vouchers and meal vouchers.

This decision aims to increase competitiveness and alleviate the financial burden on merchants who previously faced high fees.

As a result, businesses will be better able to preserve their profit margins, which are often squeezed by high interchange fees.

This translates into a positive impact on both the financial health of businesses and the stability of the food market, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

On the other hand, for workers, this measure maintains the purchasing power of these benefits, since the lower rate can translate into lower operating costs for merchants, thus encouraging more affordable meal prices.

Furthermore, as reported in CNN BrazilThese changes aim to provide more balance in transactions, promoting a fairer and more efficient market structure.

Furthermore, with the reduction of the payment period to merchants to 15 days, as highlighted by... FindesA more dynamic and sustainable financial cycle is expected.

Reducing the Payment Timeframe for Retailers

The Worker's Food Program (PAT) is undergoing a significant transformation by reducing the timeframe for transferring funds to retailers. 30 days to 15 days.

This change in the settlement mechanism has a direct and positive impact on merchants' cash flow, allowing for greater agility in the circulation of resources in the economy.

This acceleration in the transfer is relevant.This means that retailers will have access to funds more quickly, easing potential cash flow pressures and facilitating better financial management.

Furthermore, this change contributes to competitiveness among voucher providers, since they will need to optimize their processes to adapt to the new deadline.

By reducing payment waiting times, retailers can also invest more effectively in replenishing their inventory, ensuring they are always prepared to meet consumer demand.

The practical benefits of this reduction include:

• Greater efficiency in the financial management of retailers.
• Reducing risks associated with cash flow imbalances
• Facilitating ongoing investments in inventory.
• Improved product availability for consumers.

With this, the new regulation not only promotes a more dynamic economy, but also strengthens the relationship between retailers, voucher providers and consumers, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable consumption cycle.

Absence of Portability in the New Regulation

The government justified the exclusion portability in the new regulations of the Worker's Food Program (PAT) due to different technical difficulties.

First, it was mentioned that complexity of systems integration among benefit providers, which requires robust infrastructure and technological compatibility between them.

Furthermore, the network interoperability This involves challenges in adapting systems that currently operate in a segregated manner, resulting in high implementation costs.

Finally, the transaction security This was identified as a central concern, as portability could increase the risk of fraud, as highlighted by industry associations.

Ministry of Labor He emphasized that the absence of portability aims to guarantee the system integrity.

Consequently, this decision affects the workers by limiting their options for choosing providers and for companies, which are restricted in managing benefits.

Economic and Social Impacts of the New Regulation

The new regulations for the Worker's Food Program (PAT) promise to transform the market by establishing a discount ceiling for merchants between 3.5% and 4%. on the official website of the Brazilian Government.

This measure aims to discourage monopolistic practices and reduce operating costs, potentially benefiting more than 21.5 million workers.

By reducing the transfer period from 30 to 15 days, it is expected to stimulate a fairer competition and greater liquidity in the R$ market of 150 billion annually.

However, business associations express a substantial concern with the possibility of fraud and irregularities in an open system a href=”https://abrasel.com.br/noticias/entrevistas/abrasel-ve-boa-intencao-no-decreto-do-pat-mas-alerta-para-risco-de-desordem/” alt=”Abrasel – article on risks and order in the PAT”>in an article by Abrasel.

At the same time, workers may experience greater advantages due to potential cost reductions, which could increase their direct benefits.

The expected changes aim to foster a competitive evolution which balances economic and social interests, although resistance and the discomfort of the private sector should be taken into account to avoid imbalances or adverse reactions in the market.

In conclusionThe proposed changes to the Discount Rate and transfer deadlines are an attempt to modernize the PAT (Worker's Food Program), but it is essential to balance innovation with security to prevent fraud and protect the interests of workers and merchants.