Argentine, Brazilian unions and governments agree to work together to promote union rights in the meat sector

At the initiative of the IUF Latin American Region (REL-UITA), a meeting of meat unions and government officials from Argentina and Brazil was convened in Buenos Aires on November 27 to discuss ways of improving the working conditions in the meat industry in the two countries.

A concrete outcome of the discussion was a groundbreaking agreement signed by REL-UITA  and the governments of the two countries, to promote cooperation and assistance in government labour policies and on the elimination of human trafficking.

The agreement also provides for union/government coordination in promoting freedom of association and in strengthening collective bargaining and establishes a steering committee to monitor progress in the bilateral work.

This agreement builds on the work of the IUF and its affiliates to win improved health and safety regulations in the Brazilian meat industry. The campaign continues through the fight for similar legislation in Argentina.