Entrepreneurs towards formalization
Source: Jornal do Commercio Brasil - RJ, 06/04/2009
After two years of dividing herself between banking and massage, Marli Pereira concluded that massages - initially an income supplement - were much more profitable. In 1999, after 20 years of formal employment, Marli decided to dedicate herself completely to the new activity. “I worked at Caixa, Bradesco and Unibanco. I got to earn ten minimum wages, but the earnings were gradually lagging. When I decided to dedicate myself to massages, I worked part-time at the bank and received much less than as a massage therapist ”, he explains.
Specialized in lymphatic drainage, reduction of measures and relaxing massages, for which she charges between R $ 50 and R $ 60, Marli has already managed to set up a loyal customer network. “On average, I do three massages a day. I earn about R $ 3 thousand per month, but I earned more before the crisis. Open from Monday to Saturday. I travel the entire Rio de Janeiro. I work hard, but it is rewarding ”, he says. For her, working as a freelancer has advantages and disadvantages. “I earn more, but I don't have a formal contract. And my retirement, how is it? ”.
When she first heard about the Individual Microentrepreneur (MEI), Marli was excited. She saw in MEI the only possibility of contributing to her retirement again. “I like what I do, but I need to guarantee the future. I worked for 20 years as a bank employee and stopped short of retirement. With MEI I can make up for lost time. My daughter works with me and I can sign her wallet too, ”he recalls.
ELECTRICIAN. Unemployed since December, when he was fired from an electric pump maintenance shop, Rio de Janeiro electrician Márcio da Cruz Amaral was also enthusiastic when he heard about MEI. In addition to contributing to retirement, Amaral is also interested in formalizing the electrician services he performed to supplement his income.
“I've always done an electrician job on the outside. Between 2002 and 2004, I had a refrigeration store, but I never formalized it due to high taxes and bureaucracy. I intend to join MEI to open it formally and return to contribute to social security ”, he reveals. For Amaral, integrating the CNPJ will also be a fundamental step. “Large customers always require invoices. I lost the account of good business I lost. I only did small jobs, usually in the homes of friends and neighbors ”.
Willing to turn the corner, the electrician is also studying. “Today I am living on bills. I take advantage of my free time to take courses and train myself. With MEI, I will be able to gain more professional stability ”, he believes.