PUBLIC MINISTRY OF LABOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FIGHT

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000841 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM PGOV BR SUBJECT: PUBLIC MINISTRY OF LABOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION ¶1. (U) Consistent with President Lula's policy of reducing corruption in the Government of Brazil, the Public Ministry of Labor launched its Strategic Planning project on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, establishing the directives and goals of the institution until 2022. The Public Ministry of Labor is the first branch of the Public Ministries of the Union (MPU) to elaborate a planning initiative of this size and nature. The Ministry also reinforced its commitment to the National Campaign, "What do you have to do with corruption." This initiative endeavors to prevent the occurrence of new acts of corruption by educating future generations, encouraging popular complaints and punishing corrupt acts. OVERVIEW -------------- ¶2. (U) The Strategic Planning project is an institutional agenda that will guide the formulation of public policies and internal administrative measures in order to improve the Ministry's coordination, efficiency and transparency. Its objectives include combating employment discrimination; eradicating infant and child forced labor and degrading labor; guaranteeing an adequate work environment; eliminating corruption in labor relations; combating irregularities among public administration; guaranteeing freedom for unions and pacifying collective work conflicts; strengthening institutions and strategic alliances; and attaining excellence in institutional management. Principal strategies of the Public Ministry of Labor consist of modernizing administration, stimulating creativity and pro-activity in confronting problems, strengthening the data and information bank and increasing mechanisms for interaction with society. ¶3. (U) The Public Ministry of Labor also stressed its commitment to the National Campaign, "What do you have to do with corruption." Developed by the National Association of the Members of the Public Ministry (CONAMP) in partnership with the National Council of Attorneys General of Justice (CNPG),the campaign attempts to prevent future acts of corruption. The Public Ministry of Labor's actions within the campaign are educational and promote honesty and transparency, especially among adolescents. Toward this end, the Public Ministry of Labor distributes information through television and radio intended to help develop character among the nation's youth. PERSPECTIVES -------------- ¶4. (U) The President of the National Association of Labor Attorneys (ANPT),Fabio Leal, considers the Strategic Planning initiative a first step in the Public Ministry of Labor's fight against corruption. Attorney General of Labor, Otavio Brito Lopes, stressed the need for society to have knowledge of problems, stating that it is with transparency that advancement can be made. Lopes acknowledged that all the answers to fight corruption have not been found and that the Strategic Planning initiative and the National Campaign, "What do you have to do with corruption," do not solve problems in and of themselves; working with society is necessary for implementation and compliance. ¶5. (SBU) Embassy Comment: It remains to be seen if the Strategic Planning will have much impact on corruption in public administration. While its launch is consistent with the common Brazilian practice of announcing high profile programs with little real funding, resources or follow-up implementation, it is significant that the Ministry is advocating concrete steps to address corruption in public administration. SOBEL