NGOs go to court against Rio Grande do Sul councilor accused of attacking Bahians – 03/01/2023 – Market

Two NGOs that work to combat racism, Educafro and the Santo Dias Human Rights Center, will file a public civil action against councilor Sandro Fantinel (Patriota), who, speaking on the tribune of the Chamber of Caxias do Sul (RS), stated that companies and rural producers should hire “clean” employees to harvest grapes, like the Argentines.

The parliamentarian stated that companies should not hire “those people from above”, in reference to workers from Bahia rescued on Wednesday (22) in a situation analogous to slavery.

He also said that Bahia’s only culture is to live on the beach, playing drums. “So, leave aside those people, who are used to Carnival and parties, so you don’t get bothered again,” he said.

The proposed civil action must be filed in court this Wednesday (1st) and will seek compensation for collective moral damage. His speech was considered racist by both NGOs and offensive against Bahians rescued in a situation analogous to slavery in Bento Gonçalves (RS).

“The councilor expressed discriminatory feelings trying to justify the submission of black Northeasterners to demeaning situations in the work environment, showing that the logic that underpinned slavery is still alive among people who occupy power in Brazil”, said lawyer Marlon Reis, from Educafro .

The public civil action will ask for the conviction of the councilor to pay compensation for moral damages, in an amount not yet defined by the entities. The NGOs will also ask the Justice to sentence the parliamentarian to obligations such as attending classes on equality and combating discrimination.

According to the Public Ministry of Labor, more than 200 men aged between 18 and 57 years were rescued on Wednesday (22) after being deceived by the promise of temporary employment, salary of R$ 4,000, accommodation and meals paid. On Friday night (24), 194 of them were boarded on buses bound for Bahia.

They worked for two companies that were hired by the Aurora wineries, Cooperativa Garibaldi and Salton, important producers in the region. The three say they were not aware of the situation reported by the workers.

In an interview with SheetFantinel claimed that he “said too much” and that he will return to the podium this Wednesday to apologize.

“I touched on the name of the Bahians because the process that is running in Bento Gonçalves was with the Bahians. Because if it had been with the miners, I would have talked about miners. If it had been with the cariocas, I would have talked about the cariocas. I don’t have nothing against Bahians, on the contrary. I’ve been to the beaches there, it’s wonderful”, he argued.

The councilor also said that his intention was to warn of possible fraud, in the case of workers claiming poor working conditions “just to receive compensation”. “It is not the case of Bento Gonçalves, there he was exaggerated”.

The governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), spoke about the episode saying that the councilor from Rio Grande do Sul was xenophobic and racist towards Bahians and Bahians.

“I vehemently repudiate the apology for slavery and I will not allow anyone from the Northeast or Bahia to be treated with prejudice or resentment,” he wrote on a social network. He determined the adoption of appropriate measures to hold the councilor accountable.

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), also spoke about the subject on social networks. “The xenophobic and disgusting speech of the Caxias councilor against the Northeast does not represent the people of Rio Grande do Sul. We will not admit this hatred, intolerance and disrespect in politics and society”.

According to Leite, the authorities of Bahia will be invited to visit Rio Grande do Sul and follow the measures adopted in the state against prejudice.