Rio Grande do Sul Chamber apologizes to Bahians for councilor’s speech – 03/01/2023 – Market

The Chamber of Caxias do Sul (RS) apologized to Bahians this Wednesday (1st) for the speeches of Councilman Sandro Fantinel (Patriota) about the operation that investigates work analogous to slavery in wineries in Rio Grande do Sul. In a note, the Chamber said that it “does not condone any manifestation of prejudice, discrimination, racism or xenophobia”.

The manifestation is signed by all the councilors of the House –except Fantinel, who, in an interview with Sheet on Tuesday night (28), he said he was misunderstood, apologizing for excerpts of his speech.

When speaking on the tribune of the Chamber about the case of employees rescued in a situation analogous to slavery in the Serra Gaúcha, Fantinel stated that companies and rural producers should hire “clean” employees to harvest the grapes, like the Argentines, and should not seek “that people upstairs.” He was referring to workers from Bahia, the home state of most of the rescued men.

In the official note from the Chamber, which is presided over by councilor José Pascual Dambrós (PSB), the parliamentarians also point out that Fantinel’s speeches are an “individual position”, which “does not reflect the thought and values ​​of the institution nor of all the aldermen”.

“We also apologize to the Bahian people and all migrants who felt attacked, noting that they are all very welcome in our Caxias do Sul”, said the Chamber.

On social networks, the governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), and the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), also expressed their views on the episode.

“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,” said the PT candidate.

Leite said that this is a “xenophobic and disgusting” speech, which “does not represent the people of Rio Grande do Sul”.

“We will not admit this hatred, intolerance and disrespect in politics and society. The gauchos have open arms for everyone, always”, said the toucan.

The governor of RS also spoke about the investigation of companies and people involved in the case of workers rescued in a situation analogous to slavery.

“It is unacceptable and criminal. We will make our contribution so that everyone involved is held accountable, so that the wine sector and the Serra Gaúcha are not stained by the criminal conduct of a few”, stated Leite.

According to the Ministry of Labor, 192 men aged between 18 and 57 were rescued. They worked for two companies that were hired by Aurora wineries, Cooperativa Garibaldi and Salton. The three say they were not aware of the situation reported by the workers and that they repudiate human rights violations.

When starting his speech in the Chamber, on Tuesday (28), Fantinel said that he was going up to the tribune to show solidarity with businessmen and rural producers and that he was aware of the problem of the lack of labor for field work.

“This agenda gained great repercussions due to the events in Bento Gonçalves, which in my view are exaggerated and mediatic. I came across an avalanche of criticism and even offenses against companies and entrepreneurs in the winery sector that are excessive and unfair. Companies that are very important for our Serra Gaúcha and our country and are suffering a real virtual lynching”, he said.

Afterwards, he claims to have just one piece of advice for businessmen and rural producers: “Don’t hire those people from up there anymore. Talk to me and we’ll hire the Argentines. They are clean, hardworking, correct, keep the hours, keep the house clean and, on the day they leave, they still thank the boss for the money they received”.

With the Bahians, continued the councilor, “the only culture they have is living on the beach, playing drums, it was normal that they would have this type of problem”. “So, leave aside those people, who are used to Carnival and parties, so you don’t get bothered again”.

After the repercussions of the case, Fantinel said in an interview with Sheet who “said too much”, apologized, but claimed to have been misunderstood: “I mentioned 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 spoken about miners . If it had been with the Cariocas, I would have spoken about the Cariocas. I have nothing against the Bahians, on the contrary. I had it on the beaches there, it’s wonderful”.