Brazilian Assemblies Swell Staff Ranks, Reaching 143 Hired Hands Per Deputy

Brazil's Goiás Legislative Assembly stands out for its exceptionally high number of commissioned employees, with 143 staff members for every single deputy. The assembly's 100-square-meter offices house 5,874 commissioned positions for 41 deputies, creating a cramped environment where each employee has less than one square meter if all were present simultaneously.

These temporary, non-elected positions are frequently changed when new legislators arrive. Goiás leads a survey of 18 states with complete transparency data, surpassing the ratio found in the federal Chamber of Deputies. Fourteen states exceed the federal ratio, while nine provide incomplete or inaccessible data.

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Rio de Janeiro has filed a lawsuit against the state's legislative assembly, questioning the proportion of temporary versus permanent staff. Prosecutors argue this practice hinders administrative efficiency and violates constitutional principles of impartiality and morality, prioritizing private or political interests over public service.

In response, assemblies like Mato Grosso's, which ranks second with 132 commissioners per deputy, state that their structures are legally provided for and subject to objective limits. They maintain their organizations are not excessive and adhere to legal frameworks. However, none question the sheer volume of staff or provide data on productivity or attendance. Transparency is cited as proof of regularity, yet the core issue of excessive temporary hires remains a point of contention.

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the public interest takes a secondary role, giving way to private or political interests, which distorts the purpose of public function and weakens society's trust in institutions.