Is Labor Day a holiday or optional?

Art. 8 Except for cases in which the execution of the service is imposed by the technical requirements of the companies, work on public holidays, civil and religious, is prohibited, however, employees are guaranteed the respective remuneration […]

Art. 9 In activities where it is not possible, due to the technical requirements of the companies, to suspend work, on civil and religious holidays, the remuneration will be paid double, unless the employer determines another day off.
Law No. 605 of 1949

Activities considered essential must operate regularly or on duty during the holiday. This covers sectors such as healthcare, transport, energy, communications, funeral services and others.

The subsequent time off for workers in these cases is determined based on collective agreements and conventions established between employer and worker unions. In the absence of specifications, the company has the option of using the initial approach, i.e. paying double the hourly rate to the employee when they provide service on a holiday.

After Labor Day, the next national holiday will be on September 7th, which celebrates Brazil’s Independence.