Brasilia, September 18 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff Wednesday pledged to preserve labor rights if re-elected in October, including the year-end bonus, vacations and overtime pay.

Following a meeting with small business and shop owners in Sao Paulo, Rousseff told reporters she would protect those rights.

"When labor relations change, the laws have to change, (but) these changes cannot compromise rights," said Rousseff, who is running for a second term.

"I won't change the rights granted by labor laws, (such as) vacations, the end-of-year bonus, overtime (pay)," she said.

Business representatives at the meeting had asked the president to update the labor law to reduce tax burdens on business owners.

During the meeting, Rousseff highlighted the so-called Simple Law, which simplifies taxes paid by small businesses and which will apply universally starting in 2015.

She also promised to establish mechanisms to make it easier for micro- and small businesses to grow into medium-sized companies.

"I am committed to creating a means for their growth, because today when a micro- or small business grows, it loses the benefits derived from the Simple Law. So they loose what's simple and get mired in what's complicated," said Rousseff.

Rousseff said she will be sending a bill to congress in November to provide small businesses with incentives to grow, such as the gradual migration to a larger business tax regime

Polls show Rousseff leads opposition rivals prior to the Oct. 5 elections, but socialist party candidate Marina Silva is fast gaining ground and has the potential for an upset win in a runoff.