Brazil's top labor prosecutor shows opposition concerning President Michel Temer's proposal of bringing modern changes to the country's labor laws, says a report published on Tuesday. The proposal has come under fire even before it was discussed in Congress.
Through the proposed bill, Temer is suggesting to double the limit on temporary work contracts from three to six months. It would also allow longer workdays while maintaining the 44-hour week policy.
The Brazilian President's sudden plan of updating the country's long-outdated labor laws to allow outsourcing and increased flexibility in work contracts and working hours is a part of his long-term economic strategy to primarily save Brazil from its worst recession on record and reduce business costs.
Fleury, who is responsible for protecting the labor law against violations, told a new conference, "In times of crisis, workers need more protection, not less." He continued to say that he finds the proposal unconstitutional and violating the international labor conventions.
Despite Congress' enact of public spending ceiling in December, the Latin America's largest economy is still struggling to be revived from the growing fiscal deficit. While Temer is looking into ways of restoring fiscal discipline, lawmakers within the country are expected to release a key bill to reform the costly pensions system.
Prosecutor-General for Labor, Ronaldo Fleury who calls the proposal illegal, said that the bill will result in lower salaries, less employee benefits, constantly changing work conditions, and uncertain work prospects. He presented his report to labor leaders, opposing the government's claim that it would help create more jobs for the country's labor market and reduce the 12 percent unemployment rate of Brazil.
Brazil's biggest labor confederation with 7.4 million union workers, the CUT, said it plans to start nationwide protests against the pension and labor law reforms once Brazil gets back from its summer holidays and Carnival, kicking off with a national teachers strike on March 15.
