Production and use of fuel ethanol in Brazil - BAFF

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Collective bargaining instruments are of “complementary” nature, i.e. the clauses
subject to negotiation cannot prevail over the legislation. If two collective bargaining
instruments (a collective employment agreement and a collective bargaining
agreement for the same worker and business categories) are effective for the same
period, those conditions which are more favorable to the workers shall prevail. In
this regard, it is worth pointing out that there are doctrine and case law-related
controversies as to the criterion to be followed for determining which instrument is
more favorable to the workers: assessing only the conflicting aspect or deciding on
the instrument as a whole (principle of aggregation).
C1.5.
How has the sugar and ethanol industry evolved
in terms of its capital-labor relations?
There has been a constant, significant evolution in this regard. Free negotiation
has assured workers several benefits over the last decades the highlights of which
being medical care, dental care, hearing care and pharmaceutical aid, life insurance,
meals, staples baskets (foods that meet minimum nutritional guidelines set by
the government), food tickets, transportation allowances, private pension plans,
disability compensation, funeral grants, school allowances, breakfast, Christmas
food baskets, agreements with supermarkets, loans, subsidized sales, and access
to credit cooperatives.
At the same time the production units have always cared about the personal
development and professional qualification of their workers. Investments in
technological and behavioral training programs and incentives to continue or
resume studies are give priority in the process of growing up and improving as a
professional.
C. Sugar-cane and ethanol production: social impacts