Labor Court prohibits electoral harassment in furniture store in Santarém

The Labor Court granted, as a matter of urgency, an injunction requested by the Public Ministry of Labor in Pará and Amapá (MPT PA-AP) to prohibit the practice of electoral harassment against employees of a large furniture and appliances store in Santarém, in the west of Pará. The decision was handed down by the 1st Labor Court of the municipality.

According to investigations conducted by the MPT, the commercial establishment allowed an electoral candidate to use the sales room of its branch in Santarém to carry out political campaign events. The investigation showed that the employees did not participate in the meeting out of voluntary participation, but out of obligation under the employment contract, as the event took place during the team's morning meeting, called by management and in the presence of hierarchical superiors.

The MPT investigation also revealed that employees were unable to leave the location without making a statement to their management. Furthermore, images of the meeting associating the workers with the candidate were shared on the politician's social networks.

In the decision, the Court determined that the commercial establishment must immediately refrain from any conduct that constitutes electoral harassment or interference with the right to free political positioning of its employees. Coercion, intimidation, threats or any type of pressure related to the electoral process are prohibited.

Among the obligations imposed by the injunction, the company is prohibited from:

Carrying out political acts internally: Promoting electoral campaigns within the workplace or using images of employees to advertise candidates.

Induce participation in events: Forcing, guiding or inducing workers to participate in meetings, acts, leaflets, motorcades or party political events.

Influence the vote: Trying to direct the political choice or positioning of employees through instructions, demands or statements of support or rejection of candidates.

Recording workers without authorization: Recording photos or videos of employees in an electoral context without prior consent, especially for intimidation, inspection or propaganda purposes.

Giving space to third parties: Allowing external candidates or supporters to use the facilities to carry out electoral propaganda or embarrass employees.

The Court also ordered the establishment to publish a retraction note on its social networks — in text and video — reaffirming the freedom to vote, and send the content directly to all employees. MPT educational booklets on the topic must be published on the company's official channels.

In case of non-compliance with any of the determinations, a daily fine of R$50,000 was imposed.