Caixa Econômica Federal (Federal Savings Bank) has expanded operation of the Government Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS) in another six European countries. Brazilians residing in Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland can now withdraw their benefit without needing to return to Brazil. The strategy, which began in Europe in May 2012, is part of a partnership between Caixa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is now available at more than 30 points, distributed in communities abroad in which a large number of Brazilians live. With the expansion of the service in Europe, access to the FGTS benefit has been provided to more than 2.5 million people.

The possibility of withdrawing FGTS without returning to the country is already available to Brazilian communities in Belgium, the United States, France, the Netherlands, England, Ireland and Japan. By April 2013, more than 2,900 FGTS payments were made available to Brazilian workers living abroad, amounting to around R$ 27 million in released funds.

For Caixa's Executive Director of Funds, Deusdina dos Reis Pereira, the action values the Brazilian worker, in alignment with the policies of the Federal Government. "The success achieved in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in projects developed in Japan, the United States and some European countries, encourages the expansion of the service in other countries," emphasized the director.

How to make the withdrawal:

In order to withdraw the FGTS benefit, the worker resident abroad must meet at least one of the following conditions: have an employment contract in Brazil, terminated without cause; have a fixed-term Brazilian employment contract that has expired; have retirement granted by the Brazilian Social Security System; have been out of the FGTS system for three consecutive years or have an account linked to the Fund with no deposit credit for three consecutive years (during sick leave occurred until July 13, 1990).

The request can be made in Brazilian consulates based in the country where the worker resides. Personal documents with a photo must be submitted, with specific documentation varying according to the circumstances in which the worker requests withdrawal.

Details regarding documentation and step-by-step instructions for withdrawing the benefit are available on the Caixa website: http://www.caixa.gov.br/fgts/pf_saque_exterior.asp.

Source:

Caixa Econômica Federal

15 June 2013