Brazil intensifies fight against electoral harassment in workplaces

Brazilian judicial and labor institutions are intensifying efforts to combat electoral harassment in the workplace. Data from the Ministério Público do Trabalho (MPT) shows that 4,273 complaints of electoral harassment were recorded during the last two election cycles, with a peak of 3,371 cases in 2022. Although complaints dropped to 902 in 2024, the issue remains a significant concern for the judiciary.

A study by the Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (TST) revealed that in 90% of analyzed cases, political coercion is an institutional strategy rather than the action of an isolated manager. Common tactics include “psychological terror,” such as spreading alarmist narratives about economic collapse or job losses linked to specific candidates. Digital tools, particularly WhatsApp, are frequently used to pressure employees through corporate groups.

In response, the MPT, TST, and Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) have launched the “No meu voto mando eu” campaign to prepare for the 2026 elections. Legal experts note that the definition of electoral harassment has expanded to include discrimination based on political convictions. Organizations like the Sepe RJ are also taking action, filing representations to prevent the use of public school structures for political campaigning.