While the intricacies of labor laws are already difficult for Brazilians to understand, they can pose an even greater challenge for immigrants. Although they have the same rights, the language barrier, lack of knowledge of the local culture and the lack of a support network can make full access to these guarantees difficult.
With this in mind, a group of teachers and students from USP have created a booklet to help them. The material, at 124 pages and divided into six parts, provides information on immigrant and refugee rights, working hours, termination of contract, harassment and retirement, among other topics.
The content is presented in a didactic way, with questions and answers, and is aimed at any immigrant or refugee, whether or not regularized.
According to law professor Antonio Rodrigues de Freitas Júnior, coordinator of the brochure, the request came from migration activists themselves, who sought him out.
“It wasn’t an academic initiative, it was an idea that came from them,” he says. “The advantage is that, since this is not official material, from a government agency, we can address not only what has been pacified, but also a vision of expanding rights.”
Now the first version – which was released in 2019 – has been updated and, in partnership with the School of Communications and Arts (ECA), has acquired a new format and illustrations from designer Claudio.
“We are looking for a more didactic layout, which facilitates the reading process for this fragile population, which is looking for a new life”, explains Professor André Chaves de Melo, who coordinated this part of the project.
The next steps are to launch the booklet in French, English, Spanish and Arabic, with the help of the teachers of the literature course. The organizers are also seeking donations to launch a print version of the publication.
The brochure on the labor and social security rights of immigrants and refugees is available for free download on the website of the Research Group on Migration and International Labor Law (GEMDIT).