The Minister of Labor and Employment, Luiz Marinho, stated this Friday, the 13th, that the application of the new safety and health rules in the workplace cannot be postponed without a commitment from companies. The update to Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR1) is scheduled to come into force in May, which, among the changes, makes workers’ mental health a legal obligation of companies.
Originally, the new rules would come into effect in May 2025, but the Ministry of Labor published an ordinance extending the deadline for one year. Now, there is pressure from employers for a new postponement.
Marinho said that he requested, still without return, proposals from business entities, such as the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp).
“I’m waiting”, said the minister to journalists, shortly before the lunch offered by Sescon-SP, a union of accounting services companies.
He pointed out that companies had the last year to prepare for the changes – such as, for example, training managers to identify signs of mental exhaustion in teams – and define an application methodology.
The minister said he was flexible in relation to demands, but companies needed to organize themselves to implement work standards.
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“What is not possible is to postpone it for another year without any methodology drawn up, without any agreement drawn up on the part of the companies”, declared Marinho. “They promised last year: postpone it for a year and we’ll resolve it. They didn’t resolve it. So, you won’t be able to fool me again. Bring a concrete issue and I’ll talk about it”, added the minister.
