Brazil leads the way on Safe Rates with new ‘National Policy on Minimum Freight Rates for Road Freight Transportation’.
Truck drivers will be better protected, pay will be fairer and roads safer thanks to a new ‘Safe Rates’ law introduced in Brazil this month.
The law makes permanent measures that ensure compliance with minimum freight rates, protecting truck drivers and promoting fair competition, while reinforcing the link between fair pay, safe roads, decent work and sustainable supply chains.
The new law, introduced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is the result of sustained mobilisation by road transport workers and the advocacy of the ITF affiliate the National Confederation of Transport and Logistics Workers (CNTTL), which worked closely with the federal government, Congress, and regulatory agencies to strengthen the enforcement of safe rates. It also demonstrates the importance of social dialogue and the critical role that trade unions play in developing policies that improve the working and living conditions of transport workers.
“This achievement belongs to everyone who contributed to it,” said Paulo João Estausia, CNTTL President and ITF Executive Committee member.
“The support of the current government was essential in advancing these measures and addressing the long-standing challenges faced by truck drivers. While this law is an important step forward, we will continue working to secure further rights and protections for Brazilian truck drivers.”
Litti Dahmer, CNTTL Director, said: "This is an important achievement, made possible by the commitment of truck drivers and mobilisation efforts, particularly in the ports of Santos, Salvador, and Pernambuco.
“The fight for more rights continues."
The ITF defines ‘Safe Rates’ as a guarantee that drivers are paid fairly for all the time they work, allowing them to make enough money to drive safely and support their families. If drivers own their own vehicles, Safe Rates are calculated to ensure that they can cover the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and operating them.
“Brazil’s new law provides a powerful example of how the principles of Safe Rates can be translated into real-world protections for truck drivers – when governments and unions join forces to ensure fair pay, the pressure on drivers to speed or overload is reduced, which directly supports our global demands of improved road safety, sustainable supply chains and decent work for every road transport worker, which in turn will raise standards in the sector and transform the industry,” said Flemming Overgaard, ITF Road Transport Section Chair.
“By combining strong regulation, effective enforcement, and social dialogue, this law raises standards across the sector and provides an example that can inspire similar initiatives around the world.”
Among the key changes introduced by the new law, No. 15,485/2026, is a requirement to obtain a Transport Operation Identifier Code (CIOT) before the start of every trip. This system will allow authorities to verify that freight rates comply with the safe rates established by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), preventing non-compliant contracts from moving forward.
The law also strengthens oversight by linking the CIOT to the Electronic Manifest of Tax Documents, enabling automated monitoring of transport operations. In addition, it introduces stricter penalties for contractors, intermediaries, shippers, and digital freight platforms that facilitate transport services below the legally established safe rates.
By strengthening enforcement and increasing transparency, the new law addresses one of the key challenges facing the road transport sector in Brazil and also globally: ensuring that all actors in the supply chain are held accountable for compliance with human rights and labour rights, and safety standards.
"This achievement shows that union organization and social dialogue are essential to securing fair pay and decent working conditions,” said ITF Latin America Regional Secretary Edgar Díaz.
"The ITF is proud to support CNTTL and will continue advancing the global Safe Rates campaign – because Safe Rates mean safer roads, safer workers, and a more sustainable transport sector."
