The new Brazilian Labor Legislation

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The Brazilian Senate has approved on July 14, 2017, a controversial labor reform bill - the first major overhaul in 70 years. The law aims to reduce costs for businesses and allow firms to negotiate contracts freely with employees. It will go into effect on November 11, 2017.

This Bill is of great importance to the Brazilian legislation, once it is Brazil’s first attempt to modernize labor rules that date back to the 1940s. The main focus of the bill was on giving more leeway to collective bargaining and reducing the scope for legal action in labor disputes. It will also give more flexibility for part-time work and temporary contracts.

The new labor Bill became very unpopular with the Unions, who called two general strikes in protest. They argue that it will lead to a reduction in job security in Latin America's biggest economy. However, businesses have welcomed the changes, which they say will make the job market more flexible.

Find below some of the main changes, so you can come to your own conclusions:

· Union’s Contribution: Union’s contribution, currently mandatory, will be voluntary and employees’ authorization will be required. Employers’ union contribution also will be voluntary.

· Terminating the Employment Contract by Mutual Agreement: Employees may negotiate resignations with employers and, upon mutual agreement, the parties may terminate the employment contract. In such case, employees may be entitled to: a 50% payment in lieu of notice; a 20% fine on the existing balance in the FGTS account; and a withdrawal of 80% of the existing balance in the FGTS. Although employees will be entitled to other labor funds (e.g., Christmas bonus, vacation, etc.), they will not receive unemployment insurance.

· Vacation Period: Vacation periods will receive more flexibility, as the vacation period may be split in three periods, one of which must be for a minimum period of 14 calendar days, and no vacation may be shorter than five calendar days. This provision applies to all employees, regardless of age.

· Home Office: For the first time, working at a home office will be legally regulated, as employees may work from a home office if agreed to in a written employment agreement (even though employees in a home office may not receive overtime pay).

· Part-Time Job: A part-time job may now comprise up to 30 hours per week (up from 25 hours per week) where overtime work is prohibited or up to 26 hours per week with the possibility to work six additional, pre-contracted, hours of overtime. Part-time workers are entitled to the same amount of vacation time as full-time employees and part-time workers may sell one-third of their vacation.

· Free Negotiation of Employment Agreements: Employees with a university degree and salaries equal to or higher than two times the cap of the social security benefit may freely negotiate employment agreements directly with employers without union participation.

· Ratification of Termination: Regardless of an employee’s time of service, the employee’s termination will no longer require union or Regional Office of the Ministry of Labor ratification.

· Mass Termination: Union authorization will not be required to enter into a collective bargaining agreement to implement a mass termination program.

· Voluntary Dismissal Plan: Unless otherwise specified by the parties, adhering to the Voluntary Dismissal Plan will provide a full and irrevocable release to the employment agreement.

· Court Precedent: Courts, through precedent or other ordinance, will not have the power to restrict legally provided rights or create obligations that are not legally foreseen.

Either way, the Bill has passed and Employers and Employees will have to adapt to this new reality.

Article supplied by the G.Jacintho Group