One of the most traditional textile companies in Blumenau, in Vale do Itajaí, Altenburg, has been notified by the MPT (Ministry of Labour) in Santa Catarina to harass employees in elections. The complaints are that the company will force workers to vote for a candidate under the pretext that job retention depends on the candidate winning.

The public ministry of labor notified the company of the pre-election harassment – ​​Photo: Disclosure/Altenburg Têxtil/ND

In the notice, Attorney Priscila Maria Ribeiro advises the company “on its own or through its agents to refrain from any action that, through moral harassment, discrimination, invasion of privacy or abuse of legislative powers, is intended to coerce, intimidate, exhort and/or influence the vote of any of its employees in the second round on 10/30/2022″.

The document also obliges Altenburg to publish notices in various ways so that employees are aware of the free choice of their candidates. According to MPT, the disclosure must be made via email, WhatsApp groups and company walls. Decisions must be implemented immediately.

Counterpoint

The company released an official statement this Thursday (13) highlighting Altenburg’s rejection of the alleged case of selective harassment and revealing that the meeting held with employees was intended to highlight the importance of voting.

“Altenburg, through its board of directors, denies and rejects the alleged election harassment pending notification by the Ministry of Public Labor, which will be answered in due course.

It is important to emphasize that the meeting held with employees discussed the importance of voting and participation in elections, respect for the individual and the right to vote, which is secret. The actions of the company were done in the name of courtesy.

It is noteworthy that Altenburg is now celebrating 100 years of business activity, striving for respect for the law and for personal freedoms, opinion and choice of everyone, especially the right to vote, guaranteed to every Brazilian citizen.

Thus, any manifestation in the private sphere is the result of a personal opinion that, in accordance with Article 5, IV of the Federal Constitution, free expression of thought must be guaranteed to everyone, which cannot be restricted or criminalized.

Also noteworthy is the assessment carried out by a government ministry, whether it be Labor, federal or state, which is generally directed against companies and only demonstrates the interest of state agents in secret control and polling results.

These were the clarifications he had to give in order to restore the truth on this matter.”