Image source: https://www.kbc.com/en/economics/publications/qe20-and-inflation-this-time-its-different.html
Until recently I mostly ignored worker unions in my country.
I am not anti-communist, but my country (Brazil) is paranoid about communism. To the elders communism is the devils work and workers unions are a communist plot, so naturally I grew ignoring workers/trade-unions and thinking they were leeches.
However, this year the inflation here in Brazil is projected to surpass 10% year on years. Maybe even 12%, so I am beginning to change my mind.
I am an IT worker with a lot of experience. The information technology sector grew immensely. It grew so much that only 2/3 of the positions are filled, they are growing faster than they can hire (yet they refuse to increase salaries!!!). The profits on the sector grew by two digits. Because we are working officeless they are also saving millions in office expenses.
But the bosses, the executives, they want to raise our salaries by the usual 3% this year… This means that while our sector is facing unprecedented growth, our purchase power parity will decrease. A raise that is 1/3 of the inflation means we will have our purchase power lowered by a 7%….
I am very dissatisfied with the degrading working conditions and I am beginning to consider supporting our IT workers union. It is enraging to see a sector face unprecedented growth while at the same time they degrade the workers living conditions….
How is the work situation where you live? What do you think of the workers unions over there?
