Source: Agência Sebrae de Notícias, 10/03/2009

Brasília - Qualitative research conducted with the public that could benefit from the Individual Microentrepreneur Law (MEI) points out a great receptivity to the law and reveals that there is a notion, on the part of the interviewees, that legislation is a means to achieve legality. But it also shows that there are many doubts and suspicions that need to be clarified for this receptivity to translate into formalization and adherence to the benefit.

It is based on this research, carried out by Sebrae, that groups formed by representatives of public agencies and other entities will work to make the benefit reach the target audience of MEI.

The research was carried out in February this year in five capitals in each of the Brazilian regions: Belém (PA) in the Northern Region; Recife (PE) in the Northeast; São Paulo (SP) in the Southeast; Porto Alegre (RS) in the South; and Goiânia in the Midwest. Ten groups of men and women, from 25 to 45 years old, from classes C and D were heard. All professionals such as bricklayers, manicurists, hairdressers, carpenters and artisans.

Among the information collected, the research points out that this public defines itself as autonomous, the majority by necessity. Respondents do not feel uncomfortable with informality, and work and income are familiar. They do not have the time or financial means to seek training and live with financial and emotional insecurity. But formalization is still a distant dream in the face of day-to-day needs.

The survey also points out that, among the interviewees, there are those who see MEI and formalization as a door for the growth of activity. There are others who have no interest in formalization, but are especially attracted to the social security benefits offered through the new law. Another group prefers to analyze whether it is better to remain informal or formalize. By activity area, especially those working in the industry and services sectors, they see business growth with legalization.

Among the main obstacles to joining the MEI are mistrust of the public sector, the fear that, after legalization, there will be control over the category, increased taxes, legalization costs and bureaucracy.

The research was presented, on Monday afternoon (9), to a representative of the bodies and entities that will operate the MEI in a meeting at the Ministry of Social Security. “We are talking to a public that the State has historically turned its back on. Now, we are going to create the conditions so that it can be formal ”, said Minister José Pimentel.

As of Monday's meeting, five working groups began to be formed. One of them is responsible for communication, the group in which Sebrae is inserted. The President of the Institution, Paulo Okamotto, explained that one of the initiatives will be the publication of a booklet to clarify didactically the doubts detected in the research. "To join, he wants to know what the advantages are," he said. The goal, he said, is to formalize 700 to 2 million entrepreneurs by the end of 2010.

"This is a joint effort project", said the president of the National Deliberative Council of Sebrae, senator Adelmir Santana, exemplifying the importance of partnerships so that the information and benefits reach the MEI public. He recalled that it is a job that requires the involvement especially of states and municipalities.

According to the Secretary of Labor and Employment of the State of São Paulo, Afif Domingos, of the 10,3 million informal workers in the country, 3,2 million are in São Paulo. The goal in that State is to achieve the formalization of 10% of this public by the end of 2010. In this sense, the Sebrae survey serves as a guide.

Among the groups to be formed is one that will deal with a portfolio of benefits, charged with building, with institutional partners, a set of adapted products and services that are attractive to MEI optants, such as special lines of credit and a special telephone tariff. Another group will be responsible for making the option and operation of the MEI simpler, cheaper, safer and more compatible. The fourth group will be in charge of facilitating the service to these entrepreneurs, including structuring a network of partners for this purpose. The fifth group will be responsible for structuring the integrated system to simplify MEI's main and ancillary obligations.

On March 30th, these groups must present their work proposals taking into account the information from the Sebrae survey.

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