UNI Americas and affiliates denounce Santander Bank in the Brazilian Congress

On July 3, Brazilian banking unions, together with UNI Americas, publicly denounced Santander’s irregular practices during a public hearing at the Labor Committee of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies.

CONTRAF, which promoted the hearing, presented the Brazilian context and the main issue at the financial institution: fraudulent outsourcing and systematic precarization of jobs within the economic group, without any negotiation with the union movement.

Juvandia Moreira, President of Contraf-CUT, questioned the tax privileges enjoyed by the bank at the expense of decent employment. “It makes no sense for a foreign bank to benefit from tax exemptions and labor flexibilization while worsening working conditions. Public funds end up favoring the super-rich, while we continue to fight to expand rights and ensure decent jobs,” she stated.

Neiva Ribeiro, General Secretary of Contraf-CUT, called on Congress to take action regarding this situation: “Santander claims to value people, but it does not respect its workers or its customers. We need Congress to act and for labor rights to be respected.”

In addition to these denouncements in Brazil, UNI Americas has shown through campaigns and days of action that the bank’s behavior is replicated in several countries in the region. Marcio Monzane, Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, warned: “Santander’s refusal to engage in dialogue with the union movement has deepened labor conflicts in various countries, and its headquarters has expressed no interest in negotiating with unions.”

“Its practices violate international conventions and demonstrate total disregard for union freedom and collective bargaining,” he concluded.

Unions remain on alert and are continuing their plan of action. In Argentina, La Bancaria is planning a two-hour national strike at the bank is planned for next week, followed by another strike with national assemblies the week after. Finally, a mobilization will take place at the Spanish Embassy in Buenos Aires on July 17.

Foto cortesia do Congresso.