All power to the streets!

The recent regional elections in Spain strengthened the presence of new left-wing parties, such as Podemos, and reduced voter support for the traditional People's Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), which have been vying for hegemony in the country since 1982.

The participation of young people in this election is noteworthy. Of the 35 million voters, approximately 1,5 million registered to vote for the first time. A fantastic number, according to the press itself. This 'rejuvenation of the streets,' known as the 'indignados' movement, began in 2008, following the economic crisis, with strong participation from social movements.

In Brazil, in June 2013, the 'indignados' (outraged) flooded streets and squares from north to south, beating drums, clapping, raising signs, demanding with their hoarse voices an end to corruption, an end to secret voting in the National Congress, and more investment in health, education, and security.

However, in 2014, the year of the presidential elections, this street movement was timidly restricted to a few regional protests. Nevertheless, in 2015, the demonstrations resurfaced with full force in the months of March and May. The agenda has been expanding to include the defense of the rights of workers, retirees, and pensioners, and the end of the social security factor.

Today in Brazil, we see a strong trend towards the implementation of conservative and anti-social policies. Firstly, because both the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies elected more representatives identified with the so-called right wing. And that makes a big difference. Meanwhile, the social caucus, a historical stronghold, has lost ground.

Weeks ago, the Chamber of Deputies gave a clear signal that the situation is not favorable for workers. It approved a bill on outsourcing, which in practice restricts rights under the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and the 1988 "Citizen" Constitution. The bill (PL 30/2015) is now in the Senate, and I will be its rapporteur in the Human Rights Committee.

We are speaking here, and drawing the attention of Brazilian society to the fact that sacred rights of our people are at stake, rights achieved with great difficulty, through much struggle and sacrifice: Employment Permit, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Transportation Voucher, Vacation, 13th Salary, FGTS (Severance Indemnity Fund), Minimum Wage, bonuses, among others.

Unbelievably, the federal government, led by the PT, the party I've been a member of since 1985, sent two provisional measures (MPs 664 and 665) at the end of last year, the so-called fiscal adjustment which, in my understanding, will cause wage cuts. I have no doubt that the rope will break on the weakest side. The workers will lose.

Regarding these two measures, the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (DIEESE), a respected entity that has collaborated with the labor and social movements for years, issued a technical opinion with the following assessment:

"Despite the federal government's claims that there is no withdrawal of workers' rights, the new rules limit access to these benefits for millions of Brazilians, which in practice means depriving the most vulnerable segment of the population of benefits that were previously guaranteed to them."

André Singer, a professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) and spokesperson for the Lula government from 2003 to 2007, is emphatic:

"The goal is to implement a recessionary readjustment, until it produces a level of unemployment that leads to a reduction in workers' wages. Proponents of this model argue that if Brazil doesn't do this, it won't be internationally competitive. That's why we cannot accept this adjustment."

It is undeniable that since 2003, with the arrival of the PT (Workers' Party) to the Presidential Palace, Brazil has made a huge qualitative and quantitative leap in social inclusion policies, combating unemployment, and improving workers' income. It is well known that millions of Brazilians have escaped extreme poverty. Today, millions own their own homes.

However, there is a clear choice by the current federal government against these policies that were victorious and are the true roots of the PT (Workers' Party). It seems to me that the government's hands are tied; it doesn't have control over political decisions, nor over those related to the economy. Is Brazil already living under a parliamentary system? That is unacceptable.

Two movements could be made. One, within the PT itself, with the militants demanding the party's return to its roots, to the core that originated and fostered our struggles and achievements. The PT was created to defend workers and Brazil. The PT came to power to give more of Brazil to Brazilians. The party needs to understand this, otherwise it will pay with its own history. For us, who still dream, believe, and have hope in a better country for all, all that remains is to walk down a new path.

There is no way out without the people in the streets: that is the second movement. Brazilians, whatever their class, the labor and social movements, retirees, students, young people, just as those in Spain did, within the bounds of the law, must break the silence, for it is the main barrier that stifles and kills indignation. All power to the streets.

Paulo Paim is the president of the Human Rights Commission of the Federal Senate.

This article was originally published in El País.