News

The Brazilian Post Office has gone through a process of growth in services. This process follows the economic growth trend of the country. A growing economy that develops new services and introduces millions of workers to a world of consumerism also demands a greater post office, re-structured and able to provide quality services to the people.

The government’s own decision of broadening the universalization of postal services shows that there is a need to increase the amount of staff. One of the reasons for the 28-day union strike of last year was the terrible working conditions, caused mostly by the lack of employees.

In November 2011, after the strike, the Post Office hired workers. By then, the FENTECT said there was a need for 30 thousand. Working conditions at that stage continued being very bad. Outsourcing of workers continued, earning lower salaries and representing a lower quality work force.

In response to the workers’ demands, the government called for a gradual increase in the number of workers, according to the following schedule: starting on July 1st, 2012, up to 120.399 employees, starting on January 1st, 2013, up to 123.700 employees, and starting April 1st, 2012, up to 127.001 employees.

This recruitment process is a positive step towards a change from having an outsourced work force to having permanent workers with authentic jobs, full rights and job training. But, FENTECT would have preferred that the 9 thousand new hires were all done at once, instead of gradually until July 2013.

FENTECT will be starting salary negotiations in August, and recruitment will continue to be one of our main banners of struggle. According to Rogério Ubine, director of FENTECT, the government must give value to permanent workers.

“We will have more work colleagues with social rights being respected, and outsourcing will be substituted. But, the lack of new workers is significant and the government should take more care of the Post Office”.