---Abaixo em português------ Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST) started in 2007 and opened in 2010. Operations began in 2014 with the first set of units (Train I). It is located in the Industrial Port Complex of Suape, Pernambuco. Among all Brazilian refineries, RNEST has the highest crude oil conversion rate (70%). The two refining units allow the use of various types of oil that have a processing capacity of 230,000 barrels of oil per day. With 70% of the production focused on diesel, RNEST will produce diesel S-10 (concentration of 10 parts per million of sulfur), naphtha, fuel oil, petroleum coke, LPG. According to PETROBRAS, this would be the first "green" refinery built in Brazil, using technologies that guarantee low levels of contamination, low energy, and water consumption. Recently there was a benzene leak, repeating the cycles of disasters observed in other older refineries in Brazil, which were confirmed by the Petroleum Workers' Union of Pernambuco and Paraíba (Sindipetro) and some workers. Since the construction of the two main developments of the complex (the Abreu e Lima Refinery and the Atlântico Sul Shipyard) began, there have been several strikes and paralyzes of construction workers against precarious work, low compensation, and violation of human rights. The main claim is the salary adjustment and the need of better working conditions, workers complain of no overtime payment, arrears of wages and mistreatment of bosses, request a 30% increase in dangerousness and improvements in working conditions. Due to the precarious conditions, several employees began to develop health problems, such as mental disorders. This problem is even more serious when these subjects do not have access to health services due to the lack of health services offered, as well as the lack of security they find at work, such as: dismissal, unemployment, worsening quality of life, police presence. In 2012, 34 thousand workers started a strike. The conflicts in the two companies had their biggest blow when a housing of Petroquímica SUAPE (PQS) was burned down and a worker from the Conest Consortium - formed by Odebrecht and OAS, responsible for RNEST's largest contract - was shot. Since then, many negotiations have been held, but every time an agreement was reached, further talks were going on. "The payment of 100% of the overtime on Saturdays is practiced on the construction sites of Petrobras Brasil outside" The Port Complex of Suape suffered a new blockade in its accesses realized by workers who claim labor rights. On June 4, 2014, approximately 850 employees of the industrial assembly company Fidens, which provides services to Petrobras, closed all access routes to the port, claiming back wages and labor terminations. The entrances were only released after the intervention of the Shock Battalion of the Military Police, that arrested 15 people involved in the demonstrations. Em português------ As obras da Refinaria Abreu e Lima (RNEST) teve início em 2007 com previsão de inauguração 2010. Suas operações tiveram início no ano de 2014 com o primeiro conjunto de unidades (Trem I). Está localizada no Complexo Industrial Portuário de Suape, Pernambuco. Dentre todas as refinarias brasileiras, A RNEST apresenta a maior taxa de conversão de petróleo cru em diesel (70%). As duas unidades de refino possibilitaram a utilização de vários tipos de petróleo que comportarão capacidade de processamento de 230 mil barris de petróleo por dia. Com 70% da produção focada em diesel, a RNEST vai produzir diesel S-10 (concentração de 10 partes por milhão de enxofre), nafta, óleo combustível, coque de petróleo, GLP (Gás liquefeito de petróleo) (PETROBRAS, 2006). Esta seria a primeira refinaria “verde” construída no Brasil, por utilizar tecnologias que garantem baixos níveis de contaminação, baixo consumo energético e de água. Recentemente houve vazamento de benzeno, repetindo os ciclos de desastres observados em outras refinarias mais antigas, no Brasil, que foram confirmadas pelo Sindicato dos Trabalhadores na Indústria do Petróleo de Pernambuco e Paraíba (Sindipetro) e com alguns trabalhadores. Desde que foram iniciadas as obras dos dois principais empreendimentos do complexo (a Refinaria Abreu e Lima e o Estaleiro Atlântico Sul), ocorreram diversas greves e paralizações de trabalhadores da construção civil, contra trabalho precário, baixa remuneração e violação de direitos. A principal reivindicação é o ajuste salarial e melhores condições de trabalho, os mesmos queixam-se do não-pagamento de horas extras, atraso de salários e maus tratos dos chefes, solicitam aumento de 30% de adicional de periculosidade e melhorias nas condições de trabalho. No ano de 2012 Cerca de 34 mil trabalhadores deflagraram greve. Os conflitos nas duas empresas tiveram seu maior estopim quando um alojamento da Petroquímica SUAPE (PQS) foi incendiado e um operário do Consórcio Conest - formado pela Odebrecht e OAS, responsável pelo maior contrato da RNEST - foi baleado no rosto. De lá para cá, muitas negociações foram promovidas, mas sempre que se aproximava de um acordo, as conversas travavam. "O pagamento de 100% das horas extras aos sábados é praticado nos canteiros de obra da Petrobras Brasil afora. O dia 11 de julho de 2013 foi marcado pelo Dia Nacional de Luta e os trabalhadores do Complexo Industrial de Suape e da RNEST protestaram contra diversos fatores, como o fim do fator previdenciário, a melhoria das aposentadorias, a suspensão da emenda constitucional n° 4.333 – que trata da contratação de pessoal terceirizado – melhoria do transporte público e da saúde. O Complexo Portuário de Suape sofreu um novo bloqueio em seus acessos realizado por trabalhadores que reivindicam direitos trabalhistas. No dia 04 de junho de 2014 cerca de 850 funcionários da empresa de montagem industrial Fidens, que presta serviços à Petrobras, fecharam todas as vias de acesso ao porto reivindicando salários atrasados e rescisões trabalhistas. As entradas só foram liberadas após a intervenção do Batalhão de Choque da Polícia Militar, que deteve 15 pessoas envolvidas nas manifestações. Devido as condições precárias de trabalho, vários funcionários passaram a desenvolver problemas de saúde, como transtornos mentais. Esse problema fica ainda mais grave quando esses sujeitos não têm acesso aos serviços de saúde, devido ao déficit na oferta desses serviços, além da falta de segurança que eles encontram no trabalho, como: demissão, desemprego, piora na qualidade de vida, presença policial. |
Name of conflict: | Refinaria Abreu e Lima (RNEST), Pernambuco, Brazil |
Country: | Brazil |
State or province: | Pernambuco |
Location of conflict: | Ipojuca |
Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Oil and gas refining |
Specific commodities: | Crude oil |
Project details | -Refinaria Abreu e Lima S.A. is engaged in the refining, processing, commercialization, import, export, and transportation of petroleum and its derivatives, and related biofuels. -The total value: $ 13.4 billion. -Processing capacity: 230,000 barrels of oil per day (70% is diesel) |
Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 13.4 billion |
Type of population | Semi-urban |
Affected Population: | 13,000 |
Start of the conflict: | 2007 |
Company names or state enterprises: | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A (PETROBRAS) from Brazil - OWNER Odebrecht from Brazil OAS S.A. from Brazil |
Relevant government actors: | Ministério Público, Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (TEM). |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Sindicato dos Trabalhadores na Indústria do Petróleo de Pernambuco e Paraíba (Sindipetro); Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT). Supporters: Federação Nacional dos Trabalhadores na Construção Pesada, Força Sindical, Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos de São Paulo e de Mogi das Cruzes, Força sindical de Pernambuco, Movimentos Sociais, Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da Construção Pesada em Pernambuco (Sintepav-PE). |
Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
Groups mobilizing: | Industrial workers Informal workers Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Trade unions |
Forms of mobilization: | Development of a network/collective action Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Property damage/arson Strikes Occupation of buildings/public spaces Reclaim of improvement of working conditions |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Global warming, Soil contamination, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity Potential: Oil spills, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
Health Impacts | Visible: Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Occupational disease and accidents Potential: Accidents, Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution, Deaths |
Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Project Status | In operation |
Conflict outcome / response: | Criminalization of activists Negotiated alternative solution Repression Strengthening of participation |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
Briefly explain: | Some negotiations have been held to improve working conditions but this is not enough for the local people. |
References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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Other comments: | The day of July 11, 2013 was marked by the National Day of Struggle and the workers of the Industrial Complex of Suape and the RNEST. |
Contributor: | Cremilda Alves (FIOCRUZ- Pernambuco) and Grettel Navas (ENVJustice) |
Last update | 18/08/2019 |
Conflict ID: | 3985 |
Images |
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Ônibus foram queimados durante o tumulto
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Refinaria Abreu e Lima
Petrobrás
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Assembleia dos trabalhadores da Refinaria, na sexta
(Foto: Sintepav-PE
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