MPT sues supermarket chain on suspicion of electoral harassment against workers in Bahia

The Public Ministry of Labor (MPT) filed a lawsuit against the retail company Rede Mix, this Friday (23), on suspicion of electoral harassment against workers in Bahia.

The agency states that employees were required to wear uniforms with the same size as one of the candidates running in the second round of the 2026 elections. g1 tries to contact the company.

The MPT requested an injunction to immediately suspend the use of shirts linked to the supermarket chain's anniversary campaign. The body considers that the initiative could embarrass employees and interfere with their freedom of political choice and the right to vote.

According to Labor Attorney Manuella Gedeon, responsible for the action, the case began to be investigated after complaints that employees were forced to wear shirts during working hours.

According to the MPT, the agency also received photographs that would show workers wearing the pieces in front of colleagues, customers and other people.

After receiving the first complaints, the MPT sent a recommendation to Rede Mix to stop any practice that could constitute electoral harassment and review promotional campaigns with references that could be interpreted as political messages.

According to the agency, the recommendation was delivered personally to the company. Even so, new reports showed that employees continued to wear their uniforms.

The MPT also states that an inspection carried out by employees from the institutional security area found the continued use of shirts with the numeral.

What the MPT asks the Court

In addition to the immediate suspension of the use of shirts, the Public Ministry of Labor wants Rede Mix to replace the uniforms with neutral clothing until the end of the electoral process.

The body also asks the company to publish an internal statement to guarantee employees freedom of political orientation and the right to free and secret voting. Another request is the imposition of a daily fine of at least R$50,000 for each obligation not complied with.

The MPT also requests that the company adopt measures to ensure that workers scheduled to work on voting day have enough time to vote.

The agency intends to later file a public civil action to discuss the case and request possible compensation for collective moral damages, if the irregularities are confirmed.

The action presented this Friday is precautionary and seeks immediate measures to stop the practice highlighted by the MPT. The suspicion of electoral harassment will still be analyzed by the Labor Court.