June 3, 2020

Brazilian labour prosecutors' office sues JBS SA over Brazilian indigenous workers' rights violations

A suit was filed by the Brazilian labour prosecutors' office towards JBS SA, which had allegedly fired 40 workers from the Kaingang tribe from its plant in south Brazil because of COVID-19, Reuters reported.

The prosecutors' office aims to make JBS rehire the workers and pay 10 million BRL (~US$1.9 million; 1 BRL = US$0.19) in damages and fines.

The workers from the Kaingang tribe travel to work from the Serrinha indigenous land, which had reported two COVID-19 cases.

JBS confirmed it has fired 40 indigenous workers based in its chicken plant in Seara, however they said the decision was made after the company stopped a bus service that ferried the workers to the plant.

The company denies discrimination and provided no reason for stopping the bus service.

The lawyer representing the sacked workers, Fernanda Kaingang told Reuters that the two COVID-19 cases were of workers not employed by JBS but by another meatpacker. He said the workers, who earned 1,200 BRL (~US$230.10) per month were shocked that they were dismissed.

JBS said the workers were paid in full as per their entitlement. They said 3,700 workers, with 200 from indigenous communities in surrounding areas are employed at the Seara chicken plant.

JBS said the workers were placed on leave as per the law to protect them from COVID-19. The company added that the workers traveled 300 km daily in transport provided by the company.

-      Reuters