Brasília - On Friday Minister of Labor, Ricardo Berzoini, signed into law the regulation creating a tripartite commission to discuss labor problems and deal with the International Labor Organization. The commission will consist of representatives of the government, industry and labor.

According to Berzoini, with Brazil one of the world champions in workplace accidents, there is room for improvement and a need to comply with ILO norms. The minister added that the creation of the commission is proof of the country's commitment to those norms, such as ILO conventions on equal pay (100) and discrimination (111). Berzoini said that although the afore-mentioned conventions had been ratified by Brazil (in 1957 and 1968, respectively), they would effectively be implanted by the Lula government. "First we will do what other administrations failed to do. Only then we will advance with other labor reforms," concluded the minister.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Caio d´Arcanchy
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/23/2004