Brazilian transgender and transsexual civil servants will now be able to use their chosen names while on the job.

Embattled President Dilma Rousseff, who faces impeachment proceedings for her management of the federal budget and could be suspended from office within weeks, signed a decree on the matter Thursday.

It's the first time such a decree has been issued on the federal level. Some Brazilian state and regional bodies have similar measures.

Human Rights Secretary Rogerio Sotilli told journalists in Brasilia that the government's aim is to fight discrimination. Such government workers can also have their chosen name on work identification cards.

The move is likely to irritate conservative politicians who are leading Rousseff's impeachment case, chiefly lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha.