WBO Working Group on the Trade Union Movement Meets with the IACHR
Press release
Apr 1st 2026
The Washington Brazil Office WBO (WBO) Working Group for strengthening the international agenda of the Brazilian trade union movement met this Wednesday, April 1 with José Luis Caballero Ochoa, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Commissioner Rapporteur for Brazil, and Javier Palumno of the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA).
Brazilian and regional organizations presented information on labor violations occurring in Brazil and discussed trade union freedom, human rights and businesses, as well as climate change.
“The meeting with the IACHR was very positive and showed that the Commission is receptive to hearing the concerns of Brazilian organizations about the situation of labor rights in the country,” said Iman Musa Jadallah, public relations specialist for the organization. “For us at the WBO, this dialogue is an important step in strengthening international advocacy on labor violations in Brazil and in bringing these issues closer to the Inter-American human rights system.”
The meeting, held remotely, included the participation of the Instituto Novos Paradigmas, Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), Instituto Lavoro, and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) from the United States. Also part of the working group are CEERT, UGT (General Union of Workers), Themis, and CNS - National Council of Seringueiros.
Representing CUT, Fernando Vivaldo addressed union freedom and financing, the exercise of the right to strike, and the weakening of collective bargaining, noting that the attacks suffered by the sector have intensified in Brazil since the 2016 impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the 2017 labor reform legislation.
Antonio Megale reported on the corporate impacts on human rights and the environment, specifically citing the risks of an energy transition without proper regulation, while Fábio Tibiriçá presented data on precarious work, outsourcing, and the effects of digital platforms.
At the end of the meeting, the IACHR requested more information on the situation of labor rights in Brazil and affirmed its priority attention to issues involving working populations and their human rights.
