Brazil healthcare worker legislative reforms

Legislative efforts in Brazil are underway to improve the working conditions, compensation, and protections for various healthcare professionals.

Initial proposals focused on tax relief and workplace safety. Bill 2483/26 seeks to exempt overtime pay from income tax for all healthcare workers in both public and private sectors. Additionally, Bill 3338/26 aims to guarantee priority medical and hospital care for nursing professionals, including nurses and midwives, for work-related illnesses or emergencies within their places of employment.

Subsequent legislative action via Bill 3038/26 targets specific support staff. Currently under analysis in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, the bill proposes a minimum wage of R$ 3,624 for medical and dental assistants working a 20-hour weekly schedule, with values applied proportionally for workloads up to 40 hours per week. Authored by Deputy Alfredinho (PT-SP), the proposal covers various categories including laboratory and radiology assistants, medical or dental service interns, dental prosthesis technicians, and oral health technicians.

Key provisions of Bill 3038/26 include annual salary adjustments on January 1st based on the IPCA for private and public employees, while statutory civil servants would follow local legislation. The bill also establishes work rules such as a 4-hour daily shift with a possibility of 2 hours of overtime, a 50% premium for night shifts or overtime, and a mandatory 10-minute rest every 90 minutes of work. Funding for the public sector would be provided through the National Health Fund.