Government data released today indicates that the global economic downturn spurred 654,946 jobs lost in Brazil last month ? up from less than half that number a year ago. Industries such as agriculture and construction were especially impacted. Brazil's President, Luiz Inacio da Silva, claims job creation is a top priority, and the county managed to generate 1.45 million new formal jobs in 2008 despite the growing number of layoffs.
See "Brazil's economy loses 654,946 jobs in December", Forbes.com, January 18, 2009