New Brazil labour minister named after ex-minister suspended

SAO PAULO – Brazilian President Michel Temer named a former judge to lead the Labor Ministry on Tuesday, following the suspension and resignation of the previous minister amid a fraud investigation.

Caio Luiz de Almeida Vieira de Mello was previously the vice-president of a labour court.

A Supreme Court justice last week suspended then-labour Minister Helton Yomura as part of an investigation into allegations that civil servants and lawmakers manipulated the registration procedure for unions. Yomura denies wrongdoing but resigned after his suspension.

Yomura’s removal was yet another blow to Temer’s administration, which has seen several ministers resign amid scandal.

Temer himself has faced allegations of corruption twice, but Congress voted both times to spare him a trial while he remains in office. He denies wrongdoing.