Brazil: one in three businesses prepares layoffs for the beginning of the year

Cutting short rumors and assessments from independent sources, the Brazilian Ministry of Labor finally recognized that a record in terms of job cuts was reached at the end of 2008. According to data provided by the National Register of Employees and Jobseekers (Cadastro geral de empregados e desempregados), 654.946 jobs were removed from the market in December 2008, a month which is always filled with dismissals. To compare, in December 2007, 319.414 jobs were cut. These figures don’t take into account the underground economy, which was also affected by job cuts. The country is also ending on a negative note in terms of job creations: 1.45 million jobs were created as opposed to 1.62 million in 2007. Besides, last year, the number of applications for unemployment benefits went from 6.3 million to 6.8 million.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

ke into account the
underground economy, which was also affected by job cuts. The country is also
ending on a negative note in terms of job creations: 1.45 million jobs were
created as opposed to 1.62 million in 2007. Besides, last year, the number of
applications for unemployment benefits went from 6.3 million to 6.8 million.

Many layoffs in January. Nothing
foreshadows that the situation could get better.
A study carried out by the prestigious Getulio Vargas Foundation shows that
about one thi

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Canada: a sustainability due diligence proposal on forced labour submitted for consultation
The facts. On July 27, the Canadian government launched a consultation to introduce mandatory corporate due diligence measures regarding forced labor. It plans to require risk identification, the...
25 August 2026
United Kingdom: trade unions can now use electronic and workplace voting
The news. The provisions of the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 authorising electronic and workplace voting for trade union ballots came into force on Tuesday, 25 August. They apply to trade union...
Netherlands: Uber fined over 800 million euros for automated algorithmic decisions
The news. In a decision dated 17 August, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined ride-hailing company Uber €825 million for automating decisions regarding driver account deactivations. The...
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...