Quick Summary
- 1Aegea, the holding company for Águas de Manaus, has officially joined the federal 'Acredita no Primeiro Passo' employment program.
- 2The partnership aims to create job opportunities specifically for vulnerable populations registered in the Cadastro Único, including women, youth, and people with disabilities.
- 3The agreement was signed in Teresina and marks the first such partnership between the federal government and a sanitation sector company.
- 4Águas de Manaus will operationalize the program in Manaus, reinforcing the company's commitment to social inclusion.
A Major Partnership for Social Inclusion
Aegea, a leading reference in basic sanitation in Brazil, has taken a significant step toward social responsibility. The holding company, which oversees Águas de Manaus, has officially adhered to the federal government's Acredita no Primeiro Passo (Believe in the First Step) program.
This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Social Development, Family, and Hunger Combat (MDS), focuses on promoting the productive insertion of individuals in social vulnerability. By connecting its operational scale to public policy, Aegea aims to generate prosperity in regions with the highest poverty indices.
The Agreement Details
The partnership was formalized on Friday, the 16th, in Teresina, Piauí. The agreement was established through a Protocol of Intentions signed directly with the MDS. The primary objective is to expand employability by allocating job vacancies to candidates originating from the Cadastro Único (Single Registry).
In Manaus, the operational execution of this partnership will be handled by Águas de Manaus. The company commits to reporting periodically on the progress of these hires, not only for itself but alongside other concessionaires within the Aegea group.
- Targeting women, youth, and black populations
- Inclusion of people with disabilities
- Support for traditional communities
- Integration with existing company programs
"We believe in the power of sanitation as a vector for development and inclusion. This partnership allows us to expand the reach of our social actions, generating shared prosperity, and collaborating with the national effort to generate employment and income, especially for those who need it most."— Radamés Casseb, CEO of Aegea
Voices from the Partnership
Leadership from both sides emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration. Radamés Casseb, CEO of Aegea, highlighted the dual role of sanitation and social impact.
"We believe in the power of sanitation as a vector for development and inclusion. This partnership allows us to expand the reach of our social actions, generating shared prosperity, and collaborating with the national effort to generate employment and income, especially for those who need it most."
Minister Wellington Dias of the MDS noted the strategic reach of the company.
"It is a very powerful partnership. Now we will open the Cadastro Único, and the public of Bolsa Família and Social Registry will be able to participate in qualification for employment and entrepreneurship with the company. This will bring great results in overcoming poverty in Brazil."
Aegea's Social Footprint
This agreement is the first of its kind in the sanitation sector. It includes the designation of local and national focal points for management and integration with existing company initiatives. Aegea already operates programs focused on training and employability, such as "Pioneiros," which offers training to youth.
The company maintains continuous inclusion initiatives through the Social Tariff and actions focused on racial and gender equity via the program "Respeito Dá o Tom" (Respect Sets the Tone). Aegea's presence spans over 890 municipalities across 15 states, benefiting more than 39 million people.
Águas de Manaus: Local Impact
Operating in the Amazonian capital since 2018, Águas de Manaus has transformed the local sanitation landscape. The company has guaranteed universal access to treated water in Manaus and is currently focused on universalizing sewage collection and treatment.
Through the "Trata Bem Manaus" program, launched in January 2023, the goal is to achieve full sanitation coverage by 2033. This involves implanting over 2.7 million meters of collection networks and constructing or reforming 70 treatment stations. Currently, 40% of the population has access to sewage services.
To ensure access for the most vulnerable, Águas de Manaus maintains specific tariff programs:
- Tarifa 10: Fixes the water and sewage bill at R$ 10
- Tarifa Manauara: Offers a 50% discount
Over 140,000 families currently benefit from these social tariffs.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between Aegea and the Ministry of Social Development represents a structural shift in how private companies engage with federal social policies. By leveraging the extensive infrastructure of the sanitation sector, the program aims to reach populations that are often excluded from the formal economy.
As the partnership moves into the operational phase, the focus will be on the tangible integration of Cadastro Único beneficiaries into the workforce. This initiative serves as a model for future public-private collaborations, demonstrating that economic growth and social inclusion can be pursued simultaneously through strategic alignment.
"It is a very powerful partnership. Now we will open the Cadastro Único, and the public of Bolsa Família and Social Registry will be able to participate in qualification for employment and entrepreneurship with the company. This will bring great results in overcoming poverty in Brazil."— Wellington Dias, Minister of Social Development
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) designed to promote the productive insertion of people in social vulnerability. The program connects companies with beneficiaries of the Cadastro Único to provide job opportunities and entrepreneurship support.
Águas de Manaus, a subsidiary of Aegea, will operationalize the agreement in the capital of Amazonas. The company will allocate job vacancies specifically for candidates registered in the Cadastro Único and will report periodically on the progress of these contractions.
The partnership places a special focus on including women, youth, black individuals, people with disabilities, and members of traditional communities who are registered in the Cadastro Único.
Águas de Manaus has guaranteed universal access to treated water in the city. Regarding sewage, 40% of the population currently has access, with the 'Trata Bem Manaus' program aiming to achieve universal coverage by 2033.
