Bolsonaro Overturns Four-Month Suspension Without Pay of Employment Contracts

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A Provisional Measure (PM), published on Monday, aims to tackle the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. The text was criticized by politicians before the President decided to overturn it.

President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday, March 23rd, that he overturned the section of Provisional Measure 927 that provided for the suspension of employment contracts for four months.

The measure was published by the government on Monday in the Federal Gazette, with measures to tackle the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. The government advocates the PM as a means to prevent mass layoffs. The excerpt overturned by the President was Article 18.

Chamber president Rodrigo Maia, political parties and bodies had already protested against points in the Provisional Measure issued by the government and argued for an improvement in the text.

“I decided to repeal article 18 of PM 927, which allowed the suspension of employment contracts for up to four months without salary,” wrote Bolsonaro on social media.

A provisional measure, once signed by the president, becomes law. Within 120 days, it must be passed by Congress, otherwise, it will lose effect.

The other items that have not been overturned by the president will proceed to consideration by deputies and senators.

Other points in the PM

In addition to the suspension of employment contracts and salary (an option revoked by Bolsonaro), the PM establishes, as a means of countering the impact of the new coronavirus on the labor market and the economy, the option of establishing oneself under the following terms:

• teleworking (distance working, such as home-office)
• special offset scheme for future hours in the event of a break in the working day during a public disaster
• suspension of holidays for health and service workers deemed essential
• advance of individual holidays, with notice to the employee at least 48 hours in advance
• collective holiday concession
• use and anticipation of public holidays
• suspension of administrative requirements in occupational safety and health
• deferral of payments into the Severance Premium Reserve Fund (FGTS)

Source: G1