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A New Proposal Could Completely Change The Workday In Brazil! Law Promises To Count The Travel Time As Part Of The Workday. This Means More Hours Of Work For Brazilians, With Companies Having To Bear The Costs.
The Bill 236/25, which is currently under consideration in the Chamber of Deputies, promises to amend the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and modify the rules regarding the workday in Brazil.
The proposal, according to Deputy Patrus Ananias (PT-MG), aims to make the time spent commuting to and from work part of the workday, when the worker uses transportation provided by the employer.
However, there is an important requirement for this change to be implemented: the workplace must be considered difficult to access or have no public transportation available, even if just for part of the route.
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This change could represent a significant transformation for thousands of workers, since currently, the commute time is not counted in the workday, meaning it is not compensated.
This could have a major impact especially on professionals who depend on transportation provided by companies, such as drivers, laborers, and other workers in sectors where commuting is unavoidable.
What Does Bill 236/25 Say?
The PL 236/25 was created with the goal of adapting labor legislation to the reality of hundreds of workers who face difficulties commuting to their workplaces.
According to the text of the proposal, the time spent commuting to and from work would be considered part of the workday, but only if the route involves distant and difficult-to-access locations.
Currently, the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) considers that commuting time does not count as part of the workday, meaning that workers do not receive payment for those hours.
This has been a major complaint for those living in more remote areas, where transportation costs and time invested can be quite high.
According to Deputy Patrus Ananias, the employer cannot penalize the worker for logistical conditions that are beyond their control, especially when they are responsible for choosing the workplace.
The deputy argues that the idea of the bill is to correct a distortion that harms workers and penalizes those who, due to their job, must travel long distances to perform their duties.
“The employee cannot be penalized for logistical conditions beyond their choice,” says Patrus Ananias, emphasizing the inequality in working conditions and the difficulties faced by a significant portion of the Brazilian population.
Impacts For Workers
If approved, the bill could benefit workers who today have their commuting time disregarded, even though it is a fundamental factor for carrying out their profession.
The idea of counting these hours as part of the workday could mean, for many, a direct increase in salary, since overtime or commuting days would be accounted for.
However, this impact could vary depending on each category of worker and the specific conditions of the work performed.
Additionally, by considering commuting time as part of the workday, the bill could generate an increase in companies’ expenses, as they would have to bear the costs of transportation hours.
This could spark discussions about the financial viability of some companies, especially smaller ones or those located in more remote areas.
What Are The Next Steps Of The Bill?
The bill 236/25 is currently under conclusive consideration and is being analyzed by the committees of the Chamber of Deputies.
The next step is for the bill to go through the Labor and the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship committees, where it will be debated and may be amended.
If approved, the bill will also need to go through the Senate before becoming a definitive law.
It is important to emphasize that, although the proposal has received support from some deputies and unions, it also generates resistance, mainly from employers who fear additional costs.
The debate is just beginning, and the proposal may undergo significant adjustments in the committees.
What Does This Represent For The CLT And Labor Rights?
The proposal brings a broader debate about labor rights in Brazil.
With the change in how the workday is counted, it may represent an evolution in the way workers are treated regarding the time they spend commuting to work, which, in practice, could impact a significant portion of the workforce in the country.
The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), which governs labor relations in Brazil since its creation, has undergone various modifications over the years, but few with the potential impact that this change might bring.
The inclusion of commuting time as part of the workday is directly linked to the appreciation of the worker’s time, but also to the need to adapt to new economic and social realities, such as increasing urbanization and rising transportation costs in various parts of Brazil.
How Does The Worker Fare In Areas With Insufficient Public Transportation?
The bill also opens a debate about inequalities in access to public transportation services.
In many cities, public transportation is poor or nonexistent in some regions, forcing workers to rely on private transportation provided by companies.
This can especially happen in rural areas or locations far from major urban centers, where transportation infrastructure is still lacking.
In this sense, the bill aims to correct a recurring problem for workers who face long daily commutes, but who are not recognized for it in terms of compensation.
For supporters of the proposal, the measure would be a way to correct a historical distortion and provide fairer conditions for all workers.
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