Brazilian Government Initiates National Action to Regularize FGTS for Domestic Workers

Strategic Insights -

The Brazilian Government, through the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), has launched a nationwide initiative to regularize the Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS) for domestic workers. The action, beginning on September 17, aims to alert employers to potential irregularities in labor law compliance and encourage voluntary regularization by October 31, 2025. Over 80,000 registered employers will receive notifications via the Electronic Employment Domicile (DET) system, which has identified outstanding FGTS payments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The initiative targets over 80,000 registered employers, responsible for 154,063 domestic workers nationwide.
  • The amount owed to the FGTS exceeds R$375 million, highlighting the scale of employment relationships in the domestic sector.
  • The Ministry of Labor and Employment recommends that domestic employers regularly monitor messages sent by DET to avoid missing deadlines and incurring legal and labor losses.
  • The action aims to encourage voluntary regularization by October 31, 2025, with employers who fail to comply potentially facing formal notification and official assessment of debts.
  • The Electronic Labor Domicile (DET) is the official communication platform between the Labor Inspectorate and employers, ensuring digital communication of administrative acts, tax procedures, and other labor-related notices.
  • Analysis by state reveals significant regional differences, with Sao Paulo leading in absolute numbers, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Bahia.
  • States with smaller populations, such as Roraima, Amapa, and Acre, record lower FGTS debts, illustrating the diversity of the occupational structure and the formalized domestic labor market in the country.

Statistics:

  • 80,506 employers are registered with the DET, responsible for 154,063 domestic workers nationwide.
  • The amount owed to the FGTS exceeds R$375 million.
  • Sao Paulo has 26,588 employers, 53,072 domestic workers, and a debt of R$135 million.
  • Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Bahia have significant figures, reflecting their population and economic concentration.
  • States such as Roraima, Amapa, and Acre record debts of less than R$1 million.

Sources:

  • News release from the Secretary of Social Communication, Brasilia.
  • gov.br/secom/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2025/09/governo-do-brasil-inicia-acao-nacional-para-regularizar-fgts-de-trabalhadoras-e-trabalhadores-domesticos.