MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil passes law requiring race and ethnicity data in employee records

Santarém highlights that racism in the workplace is easy to notice

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed into law an amendment to the Statute of Racial Equality, requiring the inclusion of race and ethnicity information in administrative employee records in the public and private sectors. The move is intended to “promote ethnic equality and combat social inequalities resulting from racism,” according to the federal government. Law 14.553/23 also mandates a survey conducted every five years by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics to measure the percentage of occupation of these segments in the public sector. The government aims to produce information that can help overcome racial stigmas and guide public policy implementation.

A minimum of 30% of commissioned and trust positions in the federal administration will be allocated to black people in accordance with the decision announced by the government during the celebrations of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Paulo Rená da Silva Santarém, co-director of Aqualtune Lab, a legal collective dedicated to the analysis of law, technology, and race, welcomes the government's move, calling it “absolutely necessary data that actually comes late.” According to him, producing reliable empirical data is essential to support policies aimed at overcoming structural racism in Brazil. While there may be discrepancies between declaration and registration, producing this data will help objectify the fight for racial equality.

Santarém highlights that racism in the workplace is easy to notice, pointing out the absence of black people in management positions. “If there is no deliberately anti-racist policy, racism automatically manifests itself,” he added.