Workplace Voting Harassment Complaints Surge as Labour Prosecutor Steps Up Enforcement

Overview

• The Ministério Público do Trabalho recorded a sharp rise in reports this election cycle, citing a 713% jump in September versus 2022 and about 35 complaints per day in October.
• The office has logged more than 1,500 complaints nationwide with São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro showing the largest totals.
• Reported tactics include summons to political events, on‑site distribution of campaign materials, threats of dismissal or punishment, promises of benefits for specific votes, and restricting time to go vote.
• MPT actions in 2026 include dozens of preventive recommendations, 36 signed conduct‑adjustment agreements, 25 civil suits with 24 provisional injunctions granted, surprise inspections in Piauí, and new AI tools plus weekend plantões to speed case handling.
• Lower‑paid private workers and public employees in commissioned posts are the most affected and the MPT warns that employer coercion can distort voting rights and lead to fines, court orders and collective moral‑damage compensation.