Brazil and Portugal Enhance Worker Compensation Protections

Brazil's Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) mandates a night‑shift premium of at least 20 % for work performed between 22:00 and 05:00, and treats night hours as 52.5 minutes for wage calculations. This premium also influences overtime, vacation pay and severance calculations, and is considered part of the employee’s salary rather than a mere indemnity.

Portugal's Salary Guarantee Fund (FGS) provides up to three times the national minimum wage per month, and a total ceiling of six monthly salaries, to workers whose employers become insolvent or enter court‑supervised restructuring. The fund covers overdue wages, untaken vacation, holiday and meal allowances, termination indemnities and training credits, after deducting social‑security and tax contributions. Claims must be filed within one year of contract termination.