This report is part of our former “Harmful Cases” documentation, where we continuously and concisely recorded human rights violations, violations of international law or environmental destruction caused by companies.
Violation of Trade union rights in Brazil
In Brazil, the fertilizer company Vale Fertilizantes is consistently ignoring worker´s demands concerning substantial corporate proposals and remains reluctant to include unions in the preparatory negotiations. Vale´s attitude is called into question by workers and unions. According to Sharan Burrow, General-Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), this is “totally unacceptable“. Negotiations on a new collective agreement have failed since last year.
The International Trade Union Confederation had joined Brazilian organizations to protest against the anti-union attitude of Vale, after the company decided to disregard the worker´s demands last year. Vale had decided to present its own proposals and ignored those of SINDIQUIMIA, the petrochemical industrial trade union in the state of Paraná. Longstanding clauses insuring workers´ health and safety have been omitted. Furthermore, ITUC was told that some workers have suffered from intimidation during the bargaining process, in order to accept the new proposals.
Vale´s practice and its refusal to negotiate have led to a rejection of the new collective agreement by the workers. So far, no new agreement has been found.
Please find more information via the following links:
UN Refugee Agency
International Trade Union Confederation 1
International Trade Union Confederation 2 (de)
International Center for Trade Union Rights