Proverbial

Somebody please schedule a meeting between Lula and president Sarkozy, to try and make him understand how this (.br) is a terrible idea:

The administration will send to Congress a project that ratifies a decision by the ILO (International Labour Organization) which makes it harder to fire workers without just cause. The proposal’s idea is to establish clear rules — which must be followed by employers - for dismissal.
(…)
Representatives from union centrals celebrated the sending of the proposal. According to them, it will be a step forward for the country and the workers. “The proposal creates an obstacle because before firing, employers will have to verify whether they can fire”, said CUT’s (Unified Workers’ Central) president, Artur Henrique.

If approved, it will establish such great rules as making it possible for businesses to fire employees when in financial problems only AFTER a settlement with unions. Or if relocating, and having to change employees due to geographical considerations.

One can only hope the proposal will not pass Congress, but considering how easily the “unions tax” - a law establishing every worker is obligated to pay the equivalent of one work day’s payment to his class’s union, regardless of being unionized - was extended in a recent voting, I wouldn’t count on it.