Brazil trade unions stage day of rallies against labor reform

Protests are being staged all across Brazil on Friday (Nov. 10) for the revocation of items in the labor reform, approved in July by Congress and to be brought into effect tomorrow (11).

In São Paulo—the biggest metropolis and the economic center of Brazil—a few thousand workers gathered downtown late this morning. Demonstrators were carrying flags and colorful balloons and were being followed by cars equipped with loudspeakers.

“We want to build something that's balanced. This reform is essentially meant for businesses, with its 117 articles directed at their agenda. I have nothing against them, but none of the articles is socially or union-oriented,” argued Ricardo Patah, head of the General Workers' Union.

The law, Patah says, includes a number of articles that “take away rights and debilitate relations between capital and work.” Among the topics described as problematic, Patah named the so-called intermittent work (which includes conditions similar to those in zero-hour contracts) and the end of the mandatory ratification of all dismissals by trade unions.

Unified Workers' Central (CUT) head Vagner Freitas said he believes in workers' ability to mobilize to call for changes in the legislation. “I think we can more than ever stage a major strike. We did one with 35 million people, we could do another one,” he said, referring to the massive stoppage in April.

Brasília

In Brasília—the federal capital and the seat of the government—some 150 people took part in the morning demonstration organized by the Unified Workers' Central, according to figures from the Military Police. Both the police and the organizers described the gathering as peaceful.

Another protest, held by other union centers, is slated to take place late this afternoon in Brasília. According to the organization that staged the rally this morning, what led to different rallies being held separately was disagreement on the mandatory tax charged by trade unions.

Rio de Janeiro

In Rio, a demonstration was attended by workers, unemployed and homeless people outside the city hall. They protested for their right to “retire and work with dignity,” according to Luiz Sérgio, a member of the Popular Union Central (CSP Conlutas).

Port workers staged their rally near the docks early this morning, and are to conduct a slowdown strike, Walter de Paula Filho, director of their trade union, reported.

Workers in the electric sector met outside the headquarters of Brazil's state power company Eletrobras downtown, also to protest against attempt to privatize the firm.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira