Santos Neto, Arnaldo Bastos2025-09-152025-09-152025LIMA, Marina Ayres Ferreira. A efetividade do mínimo existencial no salário mínimo: uma leitura constitucional econômica. Goiânia (GO), 2025. 103 f Dissertação (Mestrado Profissional em Direito Constitucional Econômico) - Centro Universitário Alves Faria, 2025.http://repositorio.unialfa.com.br/handle/123456789/637This dissertation examines the compatibility between the value and the legal concept of the Brazilian minimum wage, in light of the fundamental principles and objectives of the Federal Constitution of 1988. Considering the dignity of the human person as a concept established by the foundation of the country’s Republic and also used as a parameter for the interpretation of fundamental social rights, the minimum wage is analyzed not only as an economic institute, but as a normative instrument essential to the achievement of social justice. The research is justified in view of the scenario of persistent inflation, structural inequality, and over-indebtedness of the Brazilian population, which compromise the material effectiveness of social rights. Methodologically, a mixed approach is adopted, predominantly qualitative with quantitative elements, therefore characterized as exploratory and descriptive research, based on national and foreign doctrine, higher courts’ decisions and analysis of economic and social indicators. The first chapter examines the emergence and evolution of the concept of minimum wage, its historical origins, especially in the Germanic tradition, and its relationship with fundamental rights and the dignity of the human person, in addition to exploring the conflict with the “reserve of the possible” and the main doctrinal currents on the subject. The second chapter analyzes the treatment of the existential minimum in the Brazilian Constitution, the applicable constitutional principles and the role of the Economic Constitution in its implementation, with an emphasis on the protection of over-indebted consumers, the right to housing and the right to health, as well as fiscal and budgetary limitations and higher courts’ decisions. The third chapter critically investigates the relationship between the minimum wage and the existential minimum in Brazil, the impact of inflation and economic policy on purchasing power, the unconstitutionality of the country’s Decree No. 11,150/2022, the perspective of the consumer who benefits from the minimum wage and proposals for public policies to guarantee the existential minimum. The results demonstrate that the minimum wage, as currently set, does not ensure sufficient material conditions for a dignified existence, contradicting constitutional commands. It is concluded that a constitutional reinterpretation of wage policy in light of the Economic Constitution and fundamental rights is essential, in addition to the adoption of existential sufficiency criteria as a reference for its definition. The study also proposes strengthening state action in promoting public policies aimed at protecting the minimum living standards, as a way of consolidating the Social State of Law and restoring the centrality of human dignity in the 1988 constitutional pactptSalário mínimoMínimo existencialDognidade da pessoaConstituição Federal de 1988