Brazil Advances Equal Pay Agenda with Strong Legislative Framework and New Initiatives in 2025
Brazil is taking decisive steps in 2025 to strengthen its commitment to closing the gender pay gap and ensuring equal pay for work of equal value. Building on a solid legislative foundation established in recent years, the country continues to roll out new tools, partnerships, and initiatives aimed at embedding pay equity across both public and private sectors.
At the heart of this progress is Law No. 14,611/2023, enacted in July 2023, which sets out clear obligations for employers to ensure equal remuneration between men and women. This landmark law is complemented by Decree No. 11,795/2023, Ordinance No. 3,714/2023, and MTE Normative Instruction No. 06/2024, all of which provide the necessary administrative guidance and data transparency mechanisms to support implementation.
Key Developments in 2025
One of the year’s major milestones is the publication of Brazil’s third Equal Pay Report, providing valuable insight into wage disparities and progress made. To further institutionalize this effort, the government is establishing a dedicated management committee tasked with monitoring the implementation and outcomes of the National Plan for Equal Pay.
Recognizing the role of social dialogue, Brazil will also launch a collective bargaining booklet to encourage the inclusion of equal pay clauses in union agreements and conventions—ensuring that pay equity is embedded in the fabric of workplace negotiations.
Looking ahead to April, Brazil plans to officially launch the Equal Pay Movement, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at mobilizing businesses, workers, and civil society in a collective commitment to promote equal pay in the workplace. By joining the movement, participants signal their active support for a fairer, more inclusive labour market.
Highlights from Q1: January – March 2025
Brazil’s efforts in the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate a strong alignment between policy and practice:
- January 2025: The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MTE) updated the employers’ questionnaire on the Portal Emprega Brasil to gather data for the third Equal Pay Report. Internal meetings were held to coordinate the report’s development and the broader implementation of Law 14,611/2023.
- February 2025: Technical consultations were conducted with representatives from various sectors to review progress and collect supplemental data for the report. These collaborative sessions ensured that all voices were heard in the data collection process.
- March 2025: The MTE participated in several technical meetings and national seminars focused on equal pay. These forums facilitated the exchange of good practices and culminated in the official publication of the third Equal Pay Report.