Brazil commemorates 35-year disability quota law and 16-year racial equality statute

On July 24, Brazil marked the 35th anniversary of the Lei de Cotas (Law No. 8.213/1991), which obliges companies with more than 100 employees to hire people with disabilities. While the law expanded formal employment for disabled workers, advocates now stress that the real challenge is retaining those employees and eliminating capacitism within workplaces, calling for inclusive cultures, manager training and revised performance criteria.

Earlier in the month, Brazil also observed the 16th anniversary of the Estatuto da Igualdade Racial (Law No. 12.288/2010). The statute, created to advance racial equity and mandate specific budget allocations for related programs, has faced uneven implementation. Critics note ongoing gaps in funding and enforcement, and warn that political attacks on identity‑based policies risk undermining the law’s democratic purpose.