Brazil expects 620,000 temporary work contracts in Q3 2026

The Brazilian Association of Temporary Work (ASSERTTEM) projects about 620,000 temporary employment contracts between July and September 2026, matching the level recorded for the same period in 2025. The forecast reflects a cautious stance by companies amid an election year, high interest rates and uncertainties in international trade.

Industry is expected to account for 45% of these contracts, followed by services (35%) and commerce (15%). Logistics, food processing and textile sectors are identified as the biggest drivers, while seasonal factors such as school recess, Father’s Day, corporate events and the need to replace staff on vacation sustain demand. The second quarter of 2026 recorded roughly 600,000 contracts, with April standing out due to Easter, Mother’s Day and heightened logistics activity. The first half of the year saw a total of about 1.4 million temporary contracts, virtually unchanged from 2025.

“O empresariado mantém uma postura mais cautelosa… continua recorrendo à modalidade para adequar a força laboral às necessidades transitórias”, said Alexandre Leite Lopes, president of ASSERTTEM, adding that temporary work acts as a barometer of economic activity.