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Approved by the Chamber of Deputies Committee, the bill reduces the working hours of social workers to 30 hours per week without reducing salaries. In addition, it values the profession by establishing National Social Worker Day. The measure should impact around 200 million professionals throughout Brazil. Learn more about the change that could transform work in the country!
A historic change could transform the work routine in Brazil, bringing relief to millions of professionals who face long working hours and daily challenges in their careers.
In a movement that is already causing heated debates in the National Congress and among the population, the Commission on Social Security, Social Assistance, Childhood, Adolescence and Family of the Câmara dos Deputados took an important step towards approving a proposal that promises to have an impact of nothing less than 200 millions of Brazilians, according to the website FDR.
But what is really behind this measure? Does its approval bring benefits to a specific category or could it represent an initial milestone towards improving the quality of life for Brazilian workers?
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The bill and the recognition of the social worker
As detailed by the website FDR, the measure is part of Bill 2635/20, originally presented by deputy Gervásio Maia (PSB-PB) and later adjusted by rapporteur Laura Carneiro (PSD-RJ).
The main change guaranteed by the proposal is the reduction of the weekly working day to 30 hours, without any impact on wages.
The approved text directly benefits social workers working in the country, recognizing the importance of these professionals in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
Furthermore, the project establishes May 15th as the National Social Worker Day, reinforcing the value and relevance of the category for society.
According to Laura Carneiro, the project's rapporteur, social workers play a vital role in the implementation of public policies, such as the Unified Social Assistance System (Suas).
She highlighted the importance of ensuring better working conditions for these professionals:
“Social workers are essential for providing public services and supporting vulnerable populations. It is a necessary step to recognize the daily efforts of this category,” stated.
Who are the beneficiaries?
Although the direct impact falls on social workers, the site FDR points out that about 200 millions of Brazilians may feel the effects of this measure indirectly, especially with regard to increasing the efficiency and quality of the service provided by these professionals.
This high number considers the relevance of the services provided by social workers in various sectors, including health, education and social assistance.
By improving the working conditions of this category, it is expected that the benefits will be reflected in a more assisted society with greater access to public policies.
Furthermore, the scope of the project is not limited to one sphere of activity. It includes all social workers in Brazil, whether at the municipal, state or federal level.
Other project changes and highlights
The text approved by the committee also brought some changes in relation to the original project.
One of the points initially planned was a 50% discount on contributions to the category's professional council, but this measure was excluded by rapporteur Laura Carneiro during the reviews.
Another important aspect is the 180-day period for the changes to come into effect, if the project is approved in all stages of the legislative process.
So far, the proposal still needs to be analyzed by other committees before going to the Senate and, eventually, to the president for sanction.
Why is the 30-hour workday important?
Reducing the working week to 30 hours is a long-standing demand from the social workers category.
As highlighted on the website FDR, the measure seeks not only to improve the quality of life of these professionals, but also to guarantee more efficient and humanized care for the populations that depend on their services.
Without a salary reduction, the proposal aims to align the workload with the complexity and responsibility of the functions performed by social workers.
This balance can help reduce burnout rates, improve productivity and increase employee satisfaction.
Furthermore, the initiative sparks debates about the possibility of extending similar measures to other categories in the future, encouraging a more inclusive labor market adapted to the demands of the 21st century.
Future impacts and possible developments
The initial approval of the project marks just the beginning of a discussion that could extend to other areas of the labor market.
Experts see the reduction in working hours as an important step forward, but they emphasize the need to broaden the debate to include equally overburdened categories, such as teachers, healthcare professionals and security workers.
Is Brazil moving towards a broader reform of working conditions? Or will this measure be limited to social workers?
With the direct impact on 200 millions of Brazilians, according to the website FDR, this change could be a turning point in the way the country views the relationship between work and quality of life.
Do you believe that the reduction of working hours should be expanded to other categories in Brazil? Who do you think needs this benefit the most? Comment below!
what ****
Good morning. I would like to know why Sesc is not included in this drafting of the working hours. It is always immune to some labor laws. Since Sesc is CLT …