President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned, this Wednesday (24), the bill (PL) that recognizes carnival blocks and bands as a manifestation of national culture. The text of PL nº 3,724/2021 was approved in March by the Senate Education and Culture Committee, in a final decision, that is, without a vote in the House plenary.
For the project’s rapporteur, senator Augusta Brito (PT-CE), carnival blocks and bands are manifestations that “reflect the greatness of our cultural diversity”. In her report she cited Mela-Mela, in cities in the Northeast, such as Beberibe and Camocim, in Ceará; Caretas, in Guiratinga, Mato Grosso; and the traditional Bate-bolas in the Rio suburbs
According to the approved text, recognition as a manifestation of national culture includes parades, music, practices and traditions of blocks and bands. The public authorities will also have the duty to guarantee the free activity of these groups and the holding of their carnival parades.
Samba schools have already been recognized as a manifestation of national culture, by Law 14,567, of 2023.
Archive workers
Lula also sanctioned the project that creates special measures to protect work carried out in archives, libraries, museums and documentation and memory centers. PL No. 5,009/2019, approved earlier this month by the Senate, amends the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) to provide health and safety measures for workers in these environments, due to constant exposure to harmful agents that cause diseases, mainly respiratory diseases. .
According to the analysis of senator Teresa Leitão (PT-PE), rapporteur of the PL, as it is carried out in closed environments, with little or almost no sun exposure or ventilation, the activity may subject the worker to physical factors, such as humidity, chemicals , such as dust, and biologicals, such as bacteria and fungi.
The text provides, however, that the characterization of work carried out in these environments as a special protection measure will not automatically imply its inclusion in the list of activities considered unhealthy by the Ministry of Labor. It will be up to the department to analyze the opportunity and convenience of this inclusion based on an analysis of the activities performed and the work environment of professionals in the area.
In turn, the characterization and classification of possible unhealthiness will only be carried out based on the expertise of the work doctor or engineer. Finally, the additional remuneration to the worker, resulting from unsanitary conditions, will only be due upon inclusion of the respective activity in the tables approved by the Ministry of Labor.
Panama Valley
The president sanctioned PL nº 3,144/2021, which defines the Vale do Panema tourist region, in São Paulo, as a Special Area of Tourist Interest. The region, close to the border between São Paulo and Paraná, comprises the reservoir of the Jurumirim Hydroelectric Plant and its surroundings, which covers the São Paulo municipalities of Piraju, Cerqueira César, Arandu, Tejupá, Avaré, Paranapanema, Itaí, Taquarituba, Itatinga and Angatuba.
The project’s rapporteur, senator Mecias de Jesus (Republicanos-RR), assessed that the region meets the requirements to be considered a special area due to nautical and fishing tourism, one of the region’s main economic activities. He cited attractions such as Praia dos Holandeses, Praia Branca and Enseada Azul.
Special Areas of Tourist Interest are continuous stretches of the national territory, including its territorial waters, to be preserved and valued in a cultural and natural sense, and intended for carrying out tourism development plans and projects. The text was approved earlier this month in the Senate.
