Reino Unido

"Brasilianização" do trabalho no Reino Unido? 

indicadores de condições de trabalho nas últimas décadas

Nesta página apresentaremos resultados da pesquisa realizada sobre as condições do trabalho assalariado no Reino Unido nos últimos anos, no que concerne a três dos seus principais aspectos: a forma de contratação, a integridade física e a dignidade dos trabalhadores.

Os objetivos principais da investigação são: 1) analisar a dinâmica das condições de trabalho no país, a partir dos anos 2000; 2) Comparar a situação do trabalho assalariado no Reino Unido com o cenário investigado no Brasil, no mesmo período. 

Isso será feito por meio da coleta e construção de indicadores concernentes a formas de contratação, acidentes laborais e trabalho análogo ao escravo (e à eventual relação entre eles) para o conjunto da população assalariada no Reino Unido, com base nas diversas fontes oficiais e na literatura disponíveis. Complementarmente, esses indicadores serão reproduzidos e focalizados na construção civil inglesa, aprofundando as comparações com o cenário brasileiro. Nessa etapa da investigação, serão selecionadas e analisadas as condições ocupacionais de uma amostra de obras na capital inglesa.

A partir dos objetivos gerais da pesquisa, busca-se refletir sobre um possível processo de "brasilinização" do trabalho assalariado na Inglaterra, e analisar como políticas neoliberais e reestruturação produtiva podem ter afetado as condições ocupacionais no Reino Unido. A comparação fornecerá parâmetros para analisar a dimensão da precarização do trabalho no Brasil. Ademais, ao avaliar o cenário do Reino Unido, será possível pensar como opções de regulação poderiam repercutir aqui, em especial considerando que acidentes, trabalho análogo ao escravo e terceirização são três temas de iminentes e graves deliberações sobre regulação do trabalho no Brasil

Essa pesquisa comparativa contou com apoio da FAPESP (Processo:15/02096-0)

Abstract: The subject of the project is the working conditions in the United Kingdom (UK) in recent years, with respect to three of its central aspects: the form of hiring, the physical integrity and the dignity of employees. The main aims of the research are: 1) to analyze the dynamics of working conditions in the UK, from the 2000s to the present; 2) Compare the situation of wage labour in the UK with the scenario investigated in Brazil over the same period. This will be done by collecting and constructing indicators concerning to forms of contracting, accidents at work and slave-like labour (and the possible relationship between them) for the whole salaried population in the UK, based on various official sources and available literature. In addition, these indicators will be replayed and focused on British construction sector, deepening the comparison to Brazilian labour scenario. At this stage of investigation, shall be selected and analyzed the occupational conditions of a sample of building sites in London. From the general objectives of the research, we will try to reflect on a possible process of "brazilianization" of salaried labour in England, and analyze how neoliberal policies and productive restructuring may have affected the occupational conditions in the UK. The comparison will provide parameters for analyzing the dimension of precarisation of work in Brazil. Moreover, in assessing the UK scenario, it may help to think as regulatory options could pass in Brazil, especially considering that accidents at work, slave-like labour and outsourcing (subcontracting) are three themes of imminent and serious deliberations on regulation of labour in that country.

So far, 5 papers related to the research performed in the UK have been published. Two of them are chapters for a book over health and safety in the construction sector; one is a paper for a magazine; at paper is presented in the annals of an international meeting in Brazil. The latest one was presented at the 11th Global Labour University Conference, South Africa, 2016. It is called `Regulation of employment rights on supply chains in the Brazilian and British agricultural sector: something is missing` and is available HERE 

The book that referred is called “Saúde e segurança do trabalho na construção civil brasileira” (in English, “Health and safety in the Brazilian construction sector”, ISBN: 9788582531167). The first chapter replays the book´s name, and addresses the features of health and safety in the Brazilian construction sector.

Abstract: The purpose of the chapter is to present a brief summary of health and safety in the Brazilian construction sector. The analysis focuses on accidents at workplace, making an overview over the private regulation of labour by capital and public regulation concerning to labour law. The available data shows that there are lots of accidents and deaths on the Brazilian labour market, especially when compared to core capitalist countries such as the United Kingdom. There, despite the attacks that the regulatory instruments are suffering, there are fewer than 200 fatal accidents per year, concerning to a population of nearly 30 million workers. Comparing these numbers with the ratio of deaths at work and population that can be accounted for an accident in Brazil the formal salaried workers covered by Social Security), there are the incidence of fatal accidents in Brazil is over ten times higher than in the UK. In the construction sector the picture is not different, and it is one of the factors that allow us to think about a predatory pattern of workforce management in Brazil.

The second chapter is called: “Tecnologia para quê(m): resistência empresarial e reprodução das mortes na construção civil”. (In English: "Technology: what for? Or whom for? Business resistance and reproduction of deaths in the construction sector").

Abstract: The chapter attempts to indicate how two artifacts commonly used in projects in Brazil, 1) the hoist pulled by single steel cable for vertical movement of people and / or materials, and 2) protection platform to avoid falling materials (also known as trays) are, by design, insecure. Both supported by archaic and dangerous technologies (they are no use in other countries, such as the UK and most of the European countries), they expose workers and individuals of the public to significant risk Injury and death. Even in the face of the evidence, including the repeated tragedies resulting from his job in construction sites work, companies and their representatives have been able to perpetuate their presence in the Regulatory Standard Number 18 (NR 18) from the Ministry of Labor of Brazil. This is because, unlike the false dilemma commonly noised, all technical issue is also inherently political, and in the case analyzed here, the business community has prevailed resistance Brazil in reconciling their methods of obtaining profit with the preservation of people's lives, specifically expressing  the commonly selective nature of technology incorporation by companies in the country.

The paper called “Outsourcing/subcontracting: conceptual debate and political context” was written along Sávio Cavalcante (professor from the University of Campinas, Brazil) and published by Revista da ABET (Brazilian Association of Labour Studies), v. 14, p. 15-36, 2015 (ISSN/ISBN: 16792483). The paper is presented at the following link: http://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs/index.php/abet/article/view/25699/13875

Abstract: Despite outsourcing has been subject of great controversy, there is consensus over the concept that defines it. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this consensus and point out their contradictions, indicating that precariousness of work related to outsourcing is not a contingency, but corollary of the nature of this way of hiring workers, which reduces the chances of limiting labour exploitation. Thus, attempts to discriminate types of outsourcing, such as "true" or "false", "good" or "bad", ignore the logic of the phenomenon. The greater risks of accidents and deaths, and the much higher incidence of outsourced workers among those subjected to conditions analogous to slavery show it. The current picture is cloudy, and there are real chances of a complete liberalization of outsourcing, as indicated by the approval of proposal Act 4330 in the House of Representatives in April this year (2015).

The paper “O Ministério Púbico do Trabalho e a regulação do direito do trabalho no setor sucroalcooleiro de Sergipe” (In English, “The Public Ministry of Labour and the regulation of labour law in the sugarcane sector”) was written along Raymundo Lima Junior (Labour Prosecutor from the Public Ministry) and published in the annals of the XIV national Meeting of ABET (Brazilian Association of Labour Studies). It can be seen at the link: http://abet2015.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/artigo-abet-vitor-e-raymundo-2015-sucroalcooleiro.pdf.

Abstract: The text presents and discusses the features of the labor law regulation in the Brazilian sugar and alcohol sector since the 2000s, focusing on the role of the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT). The main aim is to describe and analyze the position of features in the regulation of labor, including the consequences of the type of regulation adopted, namely: how companies have responded to regulation of the abovementioned surveillance institution of labor law. The main conclusions of the text, focusing, but transcends the Sergipe scenario are: in the 2000s, the MPT has adopted a priority conciliatory stance in the face of violations of standards by employers, granting deadline for compliance with labor obligations by companies without requiring indemnity payment by collective moral damages; this prevailing attitude has been encouraging so far, playing predatory working conditions by companies. The research is based on analysis of MPT inspection reports, lawsuits, computerized information systems, visits to establishments, interviews with workers and representatives of the companies. At the same time, ongoing research elements were used on the regulation of labor law in the United Kingdom, whose direction, with regard to state action, it reached a turning point after 2004, serving as a comparative parameter to the issues raised in the Brazilian case.

Segurança e saúde do trabalho na Construção Civil do Reino Unido

Obras em Londres:

Queensway, Bayswater, Londres, 17/04/2015
Andaime Fachadeiro

Notícias:

2018

A response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices


2017

The Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices

2016

28 10 (The Guardian) Uber loses right to classify UK drivers as self-employed

20 10 (The Guardian) Self-employment status – who's next under the HMRC spotlight

01 10 (The Guardian) Theresa May hires former Blair policy boss to review workers' rights

23 05 (GLA) Exploitation gang jailed

19 05 (HSE) Two Companies fined after worker falls three metres from ledge of building

A window fitting company and the principal contractor at a construction site have been fined for safety failings after a worker fell a total of three metres while installing glazed units

18 05 (GLA) Trafficking duo get six years each after joint investigation

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate began an investigation where the victim revealed he had been homeless in Slovakia in 2005 when the brothers approached him and persuaded him to move to the UK on the promise there would be accommodation and work waiting for him. In reality, the brothers took control of his bank account and although he was living at an address in Chatham, he was made to work all over the country.  He said he was made to work 40-60 hours per week earning up to £240 a week but he would in reality be given very little of his wage.  He was to be passed on anything from £5 to £40 a week.

22 04 (BBC) Bike couriers launch legal fight over workers' rights

“The couriers are considered self-employed contractors despite working for one firm for about 50 hours a week. The often-long working day of a London courier involves weaving through the city's crowded and congested streets in the saddle covering 60 to 70 miles, to be normally paid between £2 and £3 per delivery, depending on distance.”

05 04 (the guardian) Being self-employed means freedom. Freedom to be abused and underpaid
"This is freedom: the freedom to be controlled and abused. And underpaid. Couriers are paid by the number of jobs, not hours – but Dewhurst has done a pay audit of two of the big firms in the industry and found evidence that many workers are paid below minimum wage."

23 03 (GLA) Four guilty of exploitation in Cambs

The court heard victims would be brought to the UK, housed in accommodation controlled by the defendants and placed in debt bondage through the withholding of work and overcharging for transport and rent. They would be taken to banks to open accounts in their own names but using the contact details of either Vankova, Valujeva or Mezals so they could control the accounts. The jury also found that Vankova, Valujeva and Valujevs had either offered or forced three women to go through with sham marriages in order to repay debt.

18 03 (GLA) Boston Gangmasters lose licences after links with criminal uncovered


2015

09 12 (The Guardian) Revealed: how Sports Direct effectively pays below minimum wage

09 12 (the Guardian) A day at 'the gulag': what it's like to work at Sports Direct's warehouse

19 08 (citzens advice) Bogus self-employment costing millions to workers and Government

"As many as 460,000 people could be ‘bogusly self-employed’ meaning workers miss out on holiday pay, government loses tax revenue and responsible businesses could be undercut. (...) The research also identifies specific financial losses felt by the bogusly self-employed and the Government: An average of over £1,200 per worker per year lost in holiday pay. People pay an extra £61 per year in National Insurance that they would not pay were they classified as employed. The loss of employer National Insurance contributions costs the Government over £300 per person per year. Last year research from Citizens Advice showed 7 in 10 potentially successful cases are not pursued by people at Employment Tribunals.

19 07 (BBC) Bosley mill explosion: Police name four missing people

17 07 (The Guardian) The food sector braces itself for crackdown on modern-day slavery
"Businesses are likely to be under increased pressure to clamp down on forced labour in their supply
chains once new rules come into play later this year"

16 07 (The Guardian) Should we pay a minimum wage or a living income?

In 2008, about 5.5m working families in the UK received tax credits, including working and child credits, housing benefits, and local tax benefits. Austeritypolicies have reduced this number to 4.3m. Given that there were 11.4m working households in the UK in 2012, this means that an astonishing 38% did not receive a “living wage.””Or, to put it another way: the market-clearing wage was unable to provide a living income for 38% of working families. These are the “working poor”.

16 07 (BBC) Norwich explosion: Victims died from 'fire and fumes'

13 07 (BBC) Two killed in Norwich factory explosion



08 06 (London Evening) Worker crushed to death by falling pane of glass on roof of Paddington office block

08 06 (BBC) Firm admits guilt over death of Daniel Hurley on construction site

03 05 2015 (El País) Trabalhadores ultraflexíveis

"Os 'contratos de zero horas', sem garantias de salário mínimo, proliferam no Reino Unido"

indicadores:

Taxa de mortalidade no mercado de trabalho da Grã-Bretanha

Fonte: HSE (Health and Safety Executive). The document can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm.