The law that turned Corpus Christi into an official holiday in Rio is called into question by the STF

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The National Labor Commission says that with the shift to a public holiday, the business community “will suffer negative economic and financial repercussions”, will not be able to open except with the permission of the competent authority and will be forced to pay double those who work on this date, under the terms of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).

The Foundation also says that Corpus Christi has historically been an optional point in Rio, to allow religious celebrations for Christians, without affecting the conduct of trade, according to the collective agreements of the groups concerned, on a case-by-case basis.

“It should therefore be noted that, before the law in question, employees who worked on this day, especially in tourist activities such as hotels, bars, restaurants, theaters and cinemas, as well as shopping centres, did not receive double wages, except in specific cases where there was a provision in the collective agreement,” highlights the National Commission in the petition submitted to the Supreme Court.

The Federation also asserts that the decree of holidays by the states is not supported by the Federal Constitution, as the establishment of holidays is a prerogative of the Federation, according to Federal Law No. 9093. The CNC criticizes the fact that this date is a public holiday only in Rio de Janeiro.

“The state is left with one civil holiday each year. Law No. 9093/1995 made it possible for the states to declare a state-wide holiday, to celebrate their main date. The Federal Constitution does not support the declaration of religious holidays by the states, because the Brazilian state is secular.”

The foundation criticizes the number of public holidays in Rio:

“Rio de Janeiro, in particular, already has other public holidays of its own and exclusive, in particular holidays in honor of São Jorge and Zombie dos Palmares, on April 23 and November 20, in a random trend of holiday spread.”

The Corpus Christi holiday entered the official calendar of the state of Rio after the Official Gazette published, on October 23, the law establishing this date, which was approved by Governor Claudio Castro. Thus, Rio becomes the first state in Brazil to adopt this day as an official holiday.

Until then, Corpus Christi was considered merely an optional federal point, with states and municipalities determining whether or not there would be a holiday.