# Law No. 4090 of July 13, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648311](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648311)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4090-of-july-13-1962

## Summary
Law No. 4090 of July 13, 1962, is a Brazilian federal statute that instituted the "thirteenth salary" or Christmas bonus for workers. It is a formal written document that creates law, classified as a statute, and applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil. The law was promulgated by President João Goulart and published in Brasília on its enactment date.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 4090, de 13 de julho de 1962
- **Type:** Instance of a statute (a formal written document that creates law)
- **Country/Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil
- **Publication Date:** July 13, 1962
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, promulgated by President João Goulart
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4090/1962
- **Main Subject:** Creation (stated as "Criação" in the source material)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4090.htm
- **Legal Digest:** "INSTITUI A GRATIFICAÇÃO DE NATAL PARA OS TRABALHADORES." (Institutes the Christmas bonus for workers)
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-07-13;4090
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law
- **Wikimedia Project:** On the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 4090/1962?**
The law's fundamental purpose is to create the "thirteenth salary" or Christmas bonus for workers in Brazil. Its legal digest explicitly states it "institutes the Christmas bonus for workers," making it a landmark social right.

**Who approved and promulgated this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President João Goulart on July 13, 1962. The act of promulgation is the specific legal act that gave the statute its force.

**What kind of legal document is Law No. 4090/1962?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. As a statute, it is a manifestation of statutory law and falls under the broader category of written works and documents enacted through legislation.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4090/1962 matters because it established a significant and enduring social right for Brazilian workers: the mandatory Christmas bonus, commonly known as the "thirteenth salary." This law directly impacted labor relations and income distribution by guaranteeing workers an additional annual payment equivalent to one month's salary. Its creation represents a key moment in the expansion of workers' rights in Brazil during the early 1960s, contributing to social welfare and economic security for millions. As a federal statute, it carries the full force of law and serves as a concrete example of how legislation can enact substantive social policy. The law's continued relevance is evidenced by its maintenance in Brazilian labor law and its inclusion in the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its importance within the country's legal framework.

## Notable For
- **Foundational Social Legislation:** Instituted the mandatory Christmas bonus ("thirteenth salary") for Brazilian workers, a major social benefit.
- **Historical Context:** Promulgated during the presidency of João Goulart, a period marked by significant social and political developments.
- **Precise Legal Identity:** Has a unique and persistent identifier in the Brazilian legal system (LexML Brazil ID: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-07-13;4090`).
- **Official Documentation:** The full text is authoritatively available online via the Brazilian government's official portal (`planalto.gov.br`).

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Law No. 4090 of July 13, 1962, is definitively identified by its title, **Lei nº 4090, de 13 de julho de 1962**. It is an instance of a **statute**, which is a formal written document that creates law. As a statute, it is a subclass of "written work" and "document," and serves as the manifestation of statutory law enacted through legislation.

### Enactment and Promulgation
The law was formally enacted on **July 13, 1962**. It was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** and promulgated by President **João Goulart** on that same date. The act of promulgation is the specific legal act that gave the statute its binding force. The law was published in the country's capital, **Brasília**.

### Subject and Purpose
The law's main subject is **creation** ("Criação"). Its legal digest, "INSTITUI A GRATIFICAÇÃO DE NATAL PARA OS TRABALHADORES," clarifies its primary purpose: to institute the Christmas bonus, or "thirteenth salary," for workers. This establishes it as a key piece of social legislation within the Brazilian legal system.

### Jurisdiction and Language
The statute applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**. It is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the country, and is intended to be applied and interpreted within the Brazilian legal context.

### Access and Identification
The official, authentic text of the law is available online at the URL: **https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4090.htm**. Within the Brazilian legal information system, it is uniquely identified by the **LexML Brazil ID** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-07-13;4090`. Its standard legal citation is **Lei nº 4090/1962**.

### Context within Knowledge Systems
In knowledge bases like Wikidata, the law is described simply as a "Brazilian law." It is included in the scope of **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, a Wikimedia project dedicated to improving content related to Brazilian legislation. This classification helps integrate the law into a broader structured knowledge graph of legal entities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-07-13;4090)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4090&ano=1962&data=13/07/1962&ato=79dkXU61kMVRVT75d)
3. LexML Brasil