Brasilia – Brazil’s government announced Monday two executive orders and a bill headed for Congress that seek to benefit workers and limit the scope for off-the-books employment in cooperatives.
The three measures were signed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a ceremony at Planalto palace.
One of the executive orders creates a National Labor Relations Council, while the other provides legal recognition of trade unions’ existence.
Measures adopted by executive order must be approved by Congress in order to go into effect.
Another of the initiatives consists of a bill to be discussed, considered and eventually approved by both legislative bodies that will regulate how cooperatives are structured.
The new council will be “an official authority for permanent dialogue,” which will bring together workers, employers and government, Labor Minister Luiz Marinho told reporters.
This mechanism will help sweep away the lengthy procedures of labor tribunals, since many conflicts can be resolved at the negotiating table, the minister said.
The new council will be made up of five representatives nominated by each of the sectors involved – the unions, employers associations and the Labor Ministry.
Regularizing the unions will give them the legal underpinnings necessary for negotiating with the government, Marinho said.
Lula, a socialist, began his public career as leader of the metalworkers union in Sao Paulo state, Brazil’s industrial heartland. He has yet to announce if he will seek a second four-year term in the October presidential election. EFE
