Mato Grosso Court orders public health company to prevent electoral harassment

The Regional Labor Court of Mato Grosso (TRT-MT) has ordered the Empresa Cuiabana de Saúde Pública, an entity linked to the Cuiabá City Hall, to implement measures to prevent political discrimination, threats, and retaliation against its employees.

The injunction, granted by Judge Aguimar Peixoto following a complaint from the Public Labor Ministry (MPT), follows allegations of electoral harassment. These allegations included the dismissal of a worker shortly after her participation in a political demonstration and the monitoring of employees' social media accounts.

While the judge noted that the evidence presented was not sufficient to definitively prove the irregularities, he determined that preventive measures were necessary to protect fundamental rights. The company is prohibited from discriminating against workers based on political convictions, threatening them, or altering their roles without plausible justification.

Failure to comply with the ruling will result in a fine of R$ 30,000, plus an additional R$ 5,000 for each affected worker. The company must also ensure employees are released to vote and issue a communication guaranteeing their freedom of political choice.