Brazil sees surge in workplace electoral harassment complaints

Reports from Brazil indicate a significant rise in complaints regarding electoral harassment in the workplace. The Ministério Público do Trabalho (MPT) recorded 114 complaints in the first 13 days of September, already surpassing the total of 68 complaints received during the entire month of September 2022. Since the beginning of this year, the MPT has received 376 complaints, compared to 85 during the same period in 2022.

Electoral harassment is defined by the Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (TST) as any form of pressure, threat, coercion, intimidation, or promise of benefits intended to influence a worker's vote or political stance. This includes discrimination based on political opinion or attempts to manipulate workers through professional advantages or disadvantages.

To combat these practices during the 2026 general elections, the MPT has announced it will operate on a special duty roster. In the state of São Paulo, prosecutors and staff will be available in person during the first and second rounds of voting to ensure immediate intervention and process complaints aimed at protecting workers' freedom of political conviction.