Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - On the occasion of May 1st, the day dedicated worldwide to the theme of work, the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB) issued a message to workers to confirm the support of the Church "to men and women who, through their work, build pathways of life and brotherhood".
In the message, the Brazilian Bishops strongly reaffirmed the need to defend and expand the rights of workers, explicitly citing the measures regarding health protection in case of sickness, retirement, insurance against unemployment and salary bonuses. The attack on these rights - reiterated the Brazilian episcopate "is a threat to workers".
In the final part of the message, the Brazilian Bishops expressed their concern "about the number of workers who work in slavery", strongly urging the proposed 57/1999 constitutional amendment, already approved in the Senate, which provides for legal punishment for companies that use slave labor. "We can no longer live" says the document of the CNBB "with this reality that undermines the dignity of the human person", (CE) (Agenzia Fides 02/05/2015)
