Brazilian micro-entrepreneurs grapple with pending work‑hour reform and financial‑management guidance

A constitutional amendment proposal (PEC 221/2019) under debate in the Brazilian Senate would end the 6‑day‑on, 1‑day‑off work schedule. While the final rules for Microempreendedores Individuais (MEIs) have not been set, the federal government is preparing a transition framework that could affect millions of small‑business owners, particularly women who make up roughly 45% of DF’s micro‑enterprises.

In the Federal District, Rosimeire Ferreira dos Santos, a 47‑year‑old MEI who prepares customized meals, describes long, irregular hours and hopes the new schedule will improve work‑life balance without cutting wages. SEBRAE data show that 87% of DF’s micro‑entrepreneurs stay active after formalisation, most operating without employees.

Separately, a practical guide for MEIs stresses the legal need to keep business and personal finances separate. It recommends opening a dedicated juridical bank account, defining a proportional pro‑labore, and using free tools such as Google Sheets, Organizze or Conta Azul to track income and expenses, thereby protecting personal assets and ensuring proper tax reporting.