The meat industry’s push to reduce rest periods for workers in cold conditions is raising concerns among labour advocates.
Workers’ rights groups in Brazil are sounding the alarm over a proposed plan by the meat industry that could jeopardize the health of hundreds of thousands of employees in slaughterhouses. The plan, backed by President Jair Bolsonaro’s government and the industry, seeks to reduce break times for workers in cold environments, a move that experts warn could increase the risk of injury and health issues.
As Brazil grapples with a devastating pandemic that has claimed over 350,000 lives, the meat industry has continued to operate, with workers classified as essential to ensure food supply. However, discussions are underway to revise laws designed to protect these workers, specifically focusing on limiting regular breaks, which are crucial for reducing the risks associated with working in low temperatures.
Lincoln Cordeiro, a representative from Brazil’s Labour Prosecution Service, voiced strong opposition to the plan, calling it “inconceivable” to remove health and safety protections during the country’s worst health crisis in history. He emphasized that these workers, who have continued to work through the pandemic, should not lose rights that are essential to their well-being.
