Brazil health auditors continue to protest work conditions -statement (updated)

BRF SA

29/02/2024 17:42

(Adds details from Anffa's statement, quote, context)
    By Ana Mano
       SAO PAULO, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Anffa, a union group
representing health auditors, said they would continue
protesting work conditions pending a new round of talks with the
government to negotiate better contract terms, according to a
statement on Thursday. 
    The auditors' labor action has been disrupting issuance of
international health certificates, affecting Brazilian meat
exports. 
    The protest began on Jan. 22 and the parties are expected to
hold new talks next week at a yet to be defined date, Anffa
said.
        "We continue with negotiations, with our mobilization,"
Janus Macedo, head of the union, said in the statement. 
  
        Anffa also said it would internally discuss details of
the government's proposal to improve auditors' work conditions
and submit it to a national general assembly. 
  
        ABPA, which represents pork and poultry processors like
JBS  JBSS3.SA  and BRF  BRFS3.SA , did not have an immediate
comment on Anffa's statement.
        Anffa's head told Reuters last week the government needs
to raise the number of federal health auditors by at least 1,700
to keep up with Brazil's $23 billion meat export industry.
  
        At the moment health auditors total 2,300 nationwide and
they are "overburdened," he said.
  

 (Reporting by Ana Mano; 
Editing by Steven Grattan)
 ((ana.mano@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +55-11-5644-7704; Mob:
+55-119-4470-4529; Reuters Messaging:
ana.mano.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))