Introduction -- The labour market, regulation of employment contracts and relationships and employment policies in Brazil -- Public employment policies, as determined by the 1988 federal constitution -- The employment policy structure -- The implementation mechanism: coordination, monitoring and evaluation -- The restructuring of employment policies and the 2005 public employment system -- Current management structure and funding conditions for employment policies and the public employment system -- Employment policies and the national labour market -- The 2008 international crisis and employment policy -- Progress and challenges for the public employment system.