Brasilia: Brazil approved a law Monday creating 20 percent quotas for mixed race and black Brazilians in government jobs, in a country where more than half of the population has African roots.
"We have started this change in the racial composition of public officials in the federal administration so it will be more representative of the Brazilian population," said President Dilma Rousseff during a ceremony for the enactment of the law.
"This is only the beginning. We hope this law will serve as an example for the adoption of similar measures in government branches and private businesses and organizations," Rousseff said at the ceremony.
The quotas expire in 10 years and applies to federal agencies and foundations as well as state-controlled companies like oil giant Petrobras and banks like Caixa Economica Federal and Banco de Brasil.
However, the quotas do not apply to the legislative and judicial branches, which would require separate legal initiatives.
To qualify for the quotas, candidates must declare their race as black or mixed-race when they sign up for the civil servant exam.
In August 2012, after 13 years of debate, Rousseff had signed a controversial law that reserved half of university spots for public school students, with priority given to black, mixed-race, and indigenous candidates.
Brazil was one of the last countries in the world to abolish slavery, in 1888.
Afro-Brazilian activists say "some progress in 500 years" towards equality but say "much remains to be done."
"Unfortunately, 91 percent of the black population still have not succeeded in going to university," David Raimundo Santos, a Franciscan monk who directs the rights group Educafro, told AFP at the beginning of the year.
"And barely 5.3 of Afro-Brazilians occupy top posts in Brazil's 500 biggest companies. It's a scandal," he said.
"We have started this change in the racial composition of public officials in the federal administration so it will be more representative of the Brazilian population," said President Dilma Rousseff during a ceremony for the enactment of the law.
"This is only the beginning. We hope this law will serve as an example for the adoption of similar measures in government branches and private businesses and organizations," Rousseff said at the ceremony.
However, the quotas do not apply to the legislative and judicial branches, which would require separate legal initiatives.
Advertisement
In August 2012, after 13 years of debate, Rousseff had signed a controversial law that reserved half of university spots for public school students, with priority given to black, mixed-race, and indigenous candidates.
Advertisement
Afro-Brazilian activists say "some progress in 500 years" towards equality but say "much remains to be done."
Advertisement
"And barely 5.3 of Afro-Brazilians occupy top posts in Brazil's 500 biggest companies. It's a scandal," he said.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Brazil Latest Country To Ban X. List Of Nations Where You Can't Access It Aligarh Muslim University Hiring Faculty Of Medicine, Check Details Indian Overseas Bank Invites Applications For 550 Apprentice Posts, Check Details INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report "It's Mom, I Love You": Mother Of Israeli-American Found Dead In Gaza "Time This War Ended": Biden After Bodies Of 6 Hostages Found In Gaza Rain Fury Kills 10 In Andhra Pradesh, Several Districts Flooded Far-Right Could Win In Germany State Polls For The First Time Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.