The strong crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which places Brazil among the most affected countries in the world, also impacts the poultry industry, which is considered an essential economic activity. Temporary closings have caused discontent even in the ancillary industries. For several weeks, the JBS poultry processing plant located in Trindade do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, has been the focus of recommendations for protocols to avoid contagion among its workers.
This past weekend, various media reported that Judge Segala, of the Labor Jurisdiction of the city of Frederico Westphalen, of the aforementioned state, accepted the request of the Department of Labor (MPT). In this way, she determined to halt JBS poultry processing plant activities for 14 days. Stopping of the unit's activities came into effect June 13, under penalty of fine of BRL25,000 (US$4850) per day for non-compliance.
In this judicial decision, the judge determined that it affects all employees and requires that the company maintain their wages. In this way, she forced JBS to carry out the test to detect COVID-19 in all the workers, as of the tenth day of separation of the employees from their job. Technical and sanitary measures for the application of the tests and the transportation of the samples must be considered.
The prosecuted action derived after inspecting the company and verifying that the prevention measures, previously agreed with the MPT itself, had not been complied with or were insufficiently implemented. In the past month of May the company had been forced to carry out internal measures to prevent contagion among workers.
Out of 1,327 workers at the plant, 343 were set aside due to showing symptoms or having had contact with symptomatic colleagues. Of that group, 162 people were reportedly tested, of whom 35 tested positive for the coronavirus.
Another important point that the judge emphasized is that plant workers represent about a fifth of the inhabitants of the municipality of Trindade do Sul, of 5,787 people, according to the latest census. In this way, according to the judge, "the negative impact of the lack of control of an eventual outbreak among employees would be indisputable, if there are no containment measures."
"The fundamental right to health, in this case, takes precedence over the economic interest, even if the company carries out an essential activity, such as food," she added.
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