Roberto Véras de Oliveira

Trabalho no Nordeste em perspectiva histórica

Este ensaio tem como proposito identificar e analisar, em perspectiva historica, as dinâmicas sociais do trabalho que se estabeleceram no Nordeste, especialmente a partir da reconfiguracao socioeconomica da regiao empreendida com a criacao da Superintendencia do Desenvolvimento do Nordeste (Sudene), no final dos anos 1950. Motivado pela retomada na ultima decada de uma agenda de grandes projetos publico-privados no pais e na regiao, busca-se sob um olhar retrospectivo contribuir para adensar o entendimento do momento atual e de suas possibilidades de desdobramentos, no que tange aos temas dos padroes de desenvolvimento e das correspondentes relacoes de trabalho.

SINDICALISMO E TERCEIRIZAÇÃO NO BRASIL: pontos para reflexão

This article puts forth a possibility for interpreting unionism faced with outsourcing in a contemporary context, seeking to comprehend and systematize the positions of the Labor Unions regarding this question, especially focusing on the CUT (Workers Union Center). We discuss the relationship between Brazilian unionizing and the segmented pattern of the working relationships in the country, from a historic perspective, considering outsourcing as a work process that updates and resignifies this pattern. After all, what is at stake with the theme of outsourcing? What implications has this brought to workers and to the union’s agenda and the future of unionism? As to Brazil, taking into consideration the historic characteristics of the working classes and of the organization of Unions, what questions do outsourcing and the present moment of regulation bring? Thus, we put forth some questions regarding how outsourcing – as a central characteristic of the production dynamics and of work in contemporary capitalism, worldwide and in Brazil – challenges the Unions, meaning new limitations and possibilities.

Between 1980s and 1990s: Promise to Denial of Social Rights

This chapter’s objective is to consider the difference between 1980s and 1990s in Brazil from the point of view of the social question. In the 1980s, a crucial reference point is the 1988 Federal Constitution, as a corollary of a decade marked by strong social mobilizations, despite the poor economic performance. In contrast, in the 1990s Brazil entered the neoliberal era, bringing serious social consequences. This is a period during which the economy remained stagnant and unemployment and informality increased strongly, at the same time the unions were put in a defensive position and the social rights won in the 1988 Federal Constitution were put under severe attack.

From PT’s Governments to Post-impeachment Scenario

This chapter intends to provide an overview of the period that began with the Lula’s presidential election in 2002 to the present day, following the Roussef’s impeachment in 2016, focusing on its implications for the social issue. The PT governments (2003–2016) saw the return of development policies (which produced the resumption of economic growth and employment) and a strong expansion of social policies (which meant significant gains in this area). This process was interrupted by Roussef’s impeachment, when the social question is under strong threat of a historical regression. In this scenario, the labor laws instituted in the 1930s and 1940s, the social achievements of the 1988 Federal Constitution, and the social policies taken forward by PT’s governments are under heavy attack. This leaves a significant burden on trade unions.

On the Historical Development of Brazil: What Development?

This chapter aims to contextualize briefly the foundations of Brazil’s historical development, highlighting its socially contradictory character. So, it was selected some aspects and moments considered more relevant between 1930s and 1970s, as far as possible trying to relate it to the matters of development, labor relations, social regulation policies, and political struggle for democracy. A basic bibliographical review, in essential terms, was also made focusing on the approaches that dealt with these marked moments and events. Thus, we intend to present the Brazilian social question in its historical foundations and in an understandable way for readers of English language.

Interview with Chris Tilly

The following is an interview with Chris Tilly, Professor of Urban Planning at the University of California Los Angeles - UCLA, a social researcher whose studies are focused on the Labor and Employment issues. Tilly holds a PhD degreein Economics and Urban Studies and Planning (1989) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT, with the thesis entitled “Half a job: How U.S. firms use part-time employment”. He was the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment [1] directorfor eight years until June 2016. [1] See website: http://www.irle.ucla.edu/.