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((Celebration in the Senate chamber as amendment is approved))

[Translations of two articles from O Estado de São Paulo for April 2 and January 9, 2013. See originals here and here.]

Congress approves amendment

By Ricardo Brito

Brasilia – In a ceremony on Tuesday night, April 2, that lasted close to 50 minutes, in the presence of representatives of the three branches of government, the full National Congress officially proclaimed passage of a constitutional amendment that guarantees 17 new rights for domestic workers, giving them an equal standing with other urban and rural workers.

The measure, which had been approved by the plenary Senate in a final vote last week, establishes new rules, including an eight-hour work day and a 44-hour week, in addition to payment of overtime of at least 50 percent above normal rates. The rights are in addition to those already in effect, like the 13º salário [“the 13th paycheck,” an annual bonus equivalent to one month’s salary], weekly breaks, annual vacations and pregnancy leave. (more…)

[Translation of an article from the Honduran web site Revistazo.com for June 16.]

With 12 trade unionists killed in 2009, out of a total of 101 for the world, Honduras is in third place in the number of killings of union activists and leaders, according to a report by the Confederación Sindical Internacional (CSI – International Trade Union Confederation).

Tegucigalpa – The document shows that in the previous year the murders of union activists increased by 30 percent, a fact attributable to pressure exerted by unions to demand workers’ fundamental rights to job recovery, made more pressing during the global economic crisis.

The report adds that of the 101 victims, Honduras is surpassed only by Colombia, with 48 unionists murdered, and Guatemala with 16. The CSI describes this as “an escalation of violence against union leader that has developed in the past few years.” (more…)