With Support From FUP, Oil Workers Protest Against Petrobras Asset Privatization Project in Strike This Friday

FUP Called Oil Workers for a Strike This Friday Against the Privatization Project of State Assets. The Strike Aims to Bring Petrobras to More Discussions on the Reasons for Continuing the Initiative of the Temer Government.

This Friday (03/24), the Brazilian oil and natural gas market may witness yet another mass protest strike. The Unique Federation of Oil Workers (FUP) has called oil workers from all over the country for a strike against the privatization project of Petrobras assets. The initiative, implemented during the Temer Government, will continue to be carried out even under new management in the state oil company’s administration.

Oil Workers from All Over Brazil Criticize the Continuation of the Petrobras Asset Privatization Project, Which Will Continue Even with the New Government of Jean Paul Prates

FUP is calling oil workers from all over Brazil for a strike this Friday against the continuation of the privatization project initiated during the Temer Government and intensified during the Bolsonaro Government.

“The decision of the executive board, published on 03/17, provides for the continuation of the sale of projects that have already had pre-contracts signed: Northern Capixaba Pole, Dolphin and Camarupim Poles (ES), Pescada and Potiguar Poles (RN), and Lubnor (CE),” criticizes FUP.

The organization of oil workers criticizes the continuation of the initiative, even after the change of the Federal Government and the presidency of the state company itself.

The strike on the 24th is a way to pressure Petrobras to negotiate with the oil workers and seek a solution to the impasse. FUP also states that the strike is an extreme measure, but may be necessary if the company maintains its stance on selling assets.

The company’s privatization processes, initiated during Michel Temer’s government, have been the target of various criticisms in the Brazilian market, including from Lula himself.

The president has already stated that he is against the privatization of Petrobras assets, as is the new executive of the company, Jean Paul Prates.

Still managed by the previous government’s administration, the company told the market that “it sees no grounds for signed contracts to be suspended.”

The strike taking place this weekend seeks answers for FUP and other oil workers about the current situation of the privatization project.

Remnants of the Bolsonaro Government in the State Company Still Fight for the Privatization of Assets. FUP and the Oil Workers’ Strike Reinforces Dissatisfaction with the Project

During the Bolsonaro government, the process of selling Petrobras aimed to maintain only the assets of the Southeast region and concentrate the company’s activities on oil and natural gas production in the pre-salt.

In contrast, the Lula government aims to expand the state company’s operations throughout the country, in various sectors and states, and halt sales that have not yet been completed.

In the last president’s administration, a total of 54 company assets were sold to the private market, reaching R$ 175 billion. Now, the remnants of the Bolsonaro bench in the company’s administration are struggling to complete some other privatizations.

“It is unacceptable that professionals aligned with the previous government remain entrenched in the company’s management, undermining and sabotaging the government program that was approved at the polls,” said the general coordinator of FUP, Deyvid Bacelar.

Petrobras has not yet commented on the announcement of the oil workers’ and FUP’s strike next Friday.