A guidebook

On April 27, Rel UITA (IUF Latin America) launched The Meatpacking Plants Pandemics in digital format, a book that was made possible by the support of Sweden’s Union-to-Union. Ahead of the launch of the printed version in São Paulo next week, we spoke about the book with Doctor Roberto Ruiz, the man behind this work.

Neither peace nor bread

As in all wars, the worst effects of the Ukraine war are borne by those who are most vulnerable. In this case, the war is also pushing up inflation, causing the prices of certain raw materials, such as cereals, to rise, and potentially increasing the risk of famine in numerous Third World countries.

The revision of the NR36 and how it affects indigenous communities directly

In 2020, some ten to twenty thousand indigenous workers were employed in Brazil’s meatpacking plants. The NR36, a norm that regulates health and safety conditions in that industry, cannot be modified without first consulting the indigenous communities that will be affected by any proposed changes. However, indigenous activist and lawyer Fernanda Kaingáng told La Rel that this revision was presented out of the blue, without prior discussion, thus violating the obligation to consult the indigenous peoples concerned, as stipulated by ILO Convention 169.

“Rel UITA arrives in the country at a historic moment”

Carlos H. Reyes, historic union leader and former president of our member organization, the Union of Beverage and Related Industry Workers(Stibys), spoke with La Rel about the role that the IUF and its Latin American Regional Office have played throughout the twelve years of resistance and struggle of the Honduran people following the civilian-military coup in 2009.

Twelve long years of solidarity

On June 28, 2009, with the decisive support of the armed forces and under the feigned outrage of the United States, the de facto powers of Honduras staged a coup d’état that toppled the country’s democratic institutions and ushered in twelve years of pillaging, terror, and relentless violation of rights.

The pit

As expected, the pandemic exacerbated inequalities between countries and between individuals. In a new and detailed report, Oxfam shows just how vast the gap is.