# Law No. 7223 of October 2, 1984 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105649962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649962) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7223-of-october-2-1984 ## Summary Law No. 7223 of October 2, 1984 (Lei nº 7223/1984) is a Brazilian federal statute that modifies paragraph 4 of Article 543 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT). Enacted during the military dictatorship period under President João Figueiredo, this law represents a specific amendment to Brazil's labor legislation, altering the text of an existing provision within the country's primary labor law framework. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 7223, de 2 de outubro de 1984 - **Publication Date:** October 2, 1984 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil - **Country:** Brazil - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Legal Classification:** Statute (instance_of) - **Applies to Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Signed By:** João Figueiredo (President of Brazil) - **Determination Method:** Promulgation - **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1984-10-02;7223 - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7223/1984 - **Main Subject:** Consolidation of Labor Laws (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho - CLT) - **Law Digest:** "MODIFICA A REDAÇÃO DO PARAGRAFO 4 DO ARTIGO 543 DA CONSOLIDAÇÃO DAS LEIS DO TRABALHO" (Modifies the wording of paragraph 4 of Article 543 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws) - **Additional Subjects:** Rights (Direitos), Change (Alteração) - **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7223.htm ## FAQs **What does Law No. 7223 of 1984 do?** Law No. 7223 of October 2, 1984 modifies the wording of paragraph 4 of Article 543 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), which is Brazil's primary labor law statute. This amendment altered specific text within an existing article of the CLT, likely affecting labor rights or employment regulations related to that particular provision. **When was Law No. 7223/1984 enacted?** Law No. 7223 was enacted on October 2, 1984, during Brazil's military dictatorship period (1964-1985). It was promulgated by President João Figueiredo, who served as President of Brazil from 1979 to 1985, representing the final years of military rule in the country. **What is the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT)?** The Consolidation of Labor Laws (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho, abbreviated CLT) is Brazil's main labor law statute, serving as the comprehensive legal framework governing employment relationships, worker rights, and labor regulations throughout the country. Law No. 7223/1984 specifically amended Article 543, paragraph 4 of this consolidation. **Where can Law No. 7223/1984 be accessed?** The full text of Law No. 7223 of 1984 is available on the official website of the Brazilian Presidency at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7223.htm. The law is also catalogued in Brazil's LEXML legal database under the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1984-10-02;7223. **What type of legal instrument is Law No. 7223/1984?** Law No. 7223/1984 is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In the Brazilian legal system, statutes are created through legislation and represent the official record of legal rules enacted by government authority. This law falls under the category of legislative acts passed by the federal government. ## Why It Matters Law No. 7223 of October 2, 1984 matters as part of the broader evolution of Brazilian labor law, representing a specific legislative intervention in the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) during a critical period in Brazil's history. While the law itself makes a targeted amendment to a single paragraph of a single article, it contributes to the ongoing development and refinement of the legal framework governing employer-employee relationships in Brazil. The CLT serves as the cornerstone of Brazilian labor legislation, and amendments like Law No. 7223/1984 demonstrate the dynamic nature of labor law, which must continuously adapt to changing economic, social, and political circumstances. The modification of Article 543, paragraph 4, would have had practical implications for specific labor rights or employer obligations at the time of its enactment. From a historical perspective, this law was promulgated during Brazil's military dictatorship, a period when the government was governed by military presidents following the 1964 coup. Understanding laws from this era requires consideration of the political context in which they were created, including the constraints on labor rights and the centralized nature of legislative processes during that time. For legal researchers, practitioners, and historians, Law No. 7223/1984 represents a data point in tracing the development of Brazilian labor law and understanding how specific provisions within the CLT have evolved over time. The law's inclusion in official legal databases and its continued accessibility through government portals demonstrates Brazil's commitment to maintaining public access to its legislative history. ## Notable For - **Specific Legislative Amendment:** Represents a targeted modification to a specific provision (Article 543, paragraph 4) within Brazil's Consolidation of Labor Laws - **Historical Context:** Enacted during Brazil's military dictatorship period (1964-1985), specifically under President João Figueiredo's administration - **Official Documentation:** Maintains official status with accessible text through the Brazilian Presidency's official website - **Legal Database Inclusion:** Catalogued in LEXML, Brazil's centralized legal information system, with standardized identifier format - **Part of CLT Framework:** Contributes to Brazil's primary labor law statute, which remains the foundational document for labor relations in the country ## Body ### Legislative Context and Enactment Law No. 7223 of October 2, 1984 was enacted by the federal government of Brazil during the military dictatorship period that began with the 1964 coup and ended in 1985. The law was promulgated by President João Figueiredo, who held office from 1979 to 1985 and represented the final phase of military rule in Brazil. The enactment occurred in Brasília, which had been the capital of Brazil since 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The law was formally published as "Lei nº 7223, de 2 de outubro de 1984" and carries the official legal citation "Lei nº 7223/1984." This numbering system follows standard Brazilian legislative conventions, where federal laws are assigned sequential numbers within the calendar year of enactment. ### Legal Content and Purpose The specific content of Law No. 7223/1984 involves the modification of paragraph 4 of Article 543 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT). The law's digest, as recorded in official sources, states: "MODIFICA A REDAÇÃO DO PARAGRAFO 4 DO ARTIGO 543 DA CONSOLIDAÇÃO DAS LEIS DO TRABALHO" (Modifies the wording of paragraph 4 of Article 543 of the Consolidation of Labor Laws). This type of amendment represents what is known in Brazilian legal terminology as a "modificação de redação" (modification of wording), indicating that the law changed the text of an existing legal provision without necessarily altering its fundamental substance. Such amendments are common in legislative practice, serving to clarify, correct, or update legal language to reflect evolving interpretations or circumstances. ### The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) The Consolidation of Labor Laws (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho - CLT) serves as the primary labor law statute in Brazil. Enacted originally in 1943 during the Getúlio Vargas administration, the CLT provides the comprehensive legal framework governing employment relationships, worker rights, employer obligations, labor contracts, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and labor disputes throughout Brazil. Article 543 of the CLT addresses specific aspects of labor law, and paragraph 4 of that article was the specific provision modified by Law No. 7223/1984. The CLT remains in effect today, though it has been amended numerous times since its original enactment to reflect changes in labor market conditions, social priorities, and economic policies. ### Classification and Legal Status Law No. 7223/1984 is classified as a statute, which in legal terminology refers to a formal written document that creates law. This classification places it within the broader category of legislative acts, alongside other federal laws, executive orders, and regulatory instruments. The law applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil as a whole, representing a federal statute with nationwide applicability. In terms of subject matter, the law touches upon multiple legal concepts, including labor rights (Direitos), changes to legal provisions (Alteração), and specifically the Consolidation of Labor Laws as its primary subject. This multi-subject classification reflects the interconnected nature of legal provisions within the Brazilian legal system. ### Official Documentation and Access The official text of Law No. 7223/1984 is maintained and made accessible through multiple official channels. The primary source is the Brazilian Presidency's official website, where the law is available at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7223.htm. This portal provides access to Brazil's entire collection of federal legislation. Additionally, the law is catalogued in LEXML, Brazil's centralized legal information system, under the identifier "urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1984-10-02;7223." This standardized identifier follows the LEXML schema for Brazilian legal documents, allowing for precise citation and retrieval of the law across legal databases and reference systems. ### Historical Significance While Law No. 7223/1984 represents a specific and targeted amendment rather than sweeping legislative reform, it holds significance within the broader context of Brazilian labor law development. The law was enacted during a period when Brazil was governed by military presidents following the 1964 coup that overthrew President João Goulart. The military government period in Brazil (1964-1985) saw significant legislative activity, including numerous amendments to existing laws and the enactment of new legal provisions. Laws from this period reflect the particular priorities and approaches of the military administration, including centralized decision-making and limited participatory legislative processes. The year 1984 was particularly significant in Brazilian history, as it marked the final year of military rule and a period of intense political mobilization for the return to democratic governance. The following year, 1985, would see the election of Tancredo Neves as President through indirect election, initiating the transition to civilian rule that was completed with the 1988 Constitution. ### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework Law No. 7223/1984 exists within a hierarchical system of Brazilian law, with the Constitution at the apex, followed by statutes (leis), decrees (decretos), and regulatory instruments. As a federal statute, it carries binding force and applies throughout the national territory. The law's modification of the CLT connects it to Brazil's broader labor law framework, which also includes subsequent amendments, regulatory decrees, and complementary legislation. The CLT itself has undergone numerous revisions since 1943, with Law No. 7223/1984 representing one step in the ongoing evolution of Brazilian labor regulation. ### Language and Form Law No. 7223/1984 was enacted in Brazilian Portuguese, which serves as the official language of Brazil and the language in which all federal legislation is drafted and published. The law follows standard Brazilian legislative formatting conventions, including its formal title, article structure, and publication procedures. The official publication in Brasília established the law's entry into force according to standard Brazilian legislative procedures, which typically provide for publication in the Official Gazette (Diário Oficial da União) as the mechanism for establishing legal effect. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1984-10-02;7223) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7223&ano=1984&data=02/10/1984&ato=d86kXWU9EeBpWTc42) 3. 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