Brazilian healthcare workers secure wage increase after lengthy negotiations

- In December 2024, over 500 workers participated in delivering a petition demanding serious negotiations for implementing the National Nursing Minimum Wage and ensuring compliance with the hospital sector collective bargaining agreement.

- In 2025, workers at Octaviano Neves Maternity Hospital organized their own initiatives including petitions and protests.

- By April and May 2025, meetings and demonstrations led to work stoppages at Octaviano Neves Maternity Hospital.

Following persistent efforts from workers, Hapvida agreed to implement the Nursing Minimum Wage for nursing technicians and assistants by December 2025. Other workers will receive a minimum wage adjustment along with a 5.2 percent increase in salaries and benefits.

“It was only through collective action that workers were able to change the company’s attitude,” said Cleusa Lopes of Lifecenter Hospital and SINDEESS’ Board of Directors. “It’s great that Hapvida has finally come to the negotiating table in a serious way – it wasn’t easy, and so we will continue to mobilize to ensure that they keep their word.”

Lucia Lindner, Regional Director of UNI Care Americas added: “We congratulate the sisters and brothers of SINDEESS for this great achievement. Hapvida workers should be proud because they have secured an agreement with one of the richest and most powerful companies in the history of the country."

SINDEES and UNI are also involved in a national campaign titled “Healthcare is Not a Commodity,” which seeks negotiations on issues such as understaffing, managerial harassment, and technological pressures within Hapvida's facilities nationwide.