Union contributions unobliged: cynical freedom

Abstract

In 2017, the Reform of Labor Legislation determined, amongst over 200 normative changes, the end of the mandatory union contribution. This paper aims to describe how this change impacts labor unions located in Belo Horizonte. The specific objectives were to make a critical analysis of the justifications for the legislative proposal and to discuss the union activity founding system. The methodology used, with qualitative approach, came from the dialogue between literature sources, documentary research and fieldwork. The methodological instrument used was a semi-structured interview, applied to fourteen union leaders of eight professional categories based in Belo Horizonte. The results show that the end of the mandatory union contribution has a harmfull effect on the budget of workers’ unions located in Belo Horizonte, limiting and hindering their representation and enabeling the aggravation of anti-union behaviour.

Keywords:
Union Contribution; Union Freedom; Labor Reform