The new president of Fenae says that emergency aid payments would be unfeasible without public banks.

247 - The new Board of Directors of the National Federation of Associations of Caixa Econômica Federal Employees (Fenae) — whose inauguration on April 30th took place via videoconference — will have, as its main challenges for the next period, the defense of the public nature of the bank and for better working conditions for all employees. This statement comes from Sérgio Hiroshi Takemoto, president-elect for the 2020-2023 term.

According to Takemoto, the coronavirus crisis showed that, without Caixa and other public banks, the payment of emergency aid and all other social programs would have been impossible. "The lesson learned from this mobilization is that Brazil needs a strong, solid, and competitive public bank, capable of handling both private competition and its social responsibilities," says the new president of Fenae.

In an interview with the Fenae portal, Sérgio Takemoto defended the campaigns and mobilizations against the fragmentation of the bank and for no reduction in workers' rights. "The focus of our administration will be the well-being of Caixa employees, with a view to continuing existing actions and expanding projects aimed at bringing Fenae even closer to the members of the Apcefs," he explained.

Check out the full interview with the new president of Fenae:

What are the prospects for the Caixa employees' association movement in the coming period?

Takemoto – The scenario facing the Caixa employees' union movement, as well as the rest of the organized workers' movement, is very difficult. After the pandemic, we will face a period of deep economic recession in the country, which will have negative consequences for the working class as a whole. At Caixa, the debate about privatization, with the possible sale of assets in the areas of insurance, cards, and lotteries, will likely return with force.

In this context, bank employees and representative bodies need to be prepared to face the two biggest challenges for the coming period: a very difficult economic crisis and the fight against the government's attempt to hand over profitable parts of Brazil's only 100% public and social bank to the private sector.

Given this scenario, it will once again be necessary to rely on the unity of all political currents active in the associative movement, thus joining the efforts of all representative entities in defending the public Caixa Econômica Federal (a Brazilian bank) and mobilizing for no reduction in rights. This will be fundamental for overcoming this very adverse period in the near future.    

Now as president of Fenae, elected by the vote of the Apcefs members, how do you intend to conduct the relationship with the workers' movement?

Takemoto – Fenae has always had a very close relationship with all workers' organizations, including those linked to various social movements. This is in our Federation's DNA and has been built over the years. We intend to continue this work. The well-being of Caixa employees is one of Fenae's missions, and this is linked to the defense of a dignified life for all workers.

In our campaign program for the leadership of Fenae, one of the main points is mobilization for a better, fairer, and more supportive world. And that's how we will continue to act. The fight is against a common enemy: the neoliberal conception of society. We will increasingly improve our partnership with entities from the labor, social, and housing movements. Fenae, in fact, is a product of collective mobilization.

How will the mobilization in defense of the public Caixa bank and the rights of its employees be carried out next?

Takemoto – Throughout all instances where Caixa Econômica Federal has been under attack, Fenae has conducted campaigns to reaffirm the bank's public and social character, mobilizing for dignified working conditions and against the erosion of employee rights. This commitment to defending public assets will continue and will be based on the unity of all segments of Caixa workers, with the support of the labor movement and entities from social and housing movements.

Given the challenging scenario predicted for the country post-pandemic, we intend to continue participating in activities at the state and municipal levels to combat regression. We want to raise public awareness about the importance of the public sector for Brazil. 

The coronavirus crisis showed that, without Caixa and other public banks, the payment of emergency aid and all other social programs would have been impossible. The lesson learned from this mobilization is that Brazil needs a strong, solid, and competitive public bank, capable of handling both private competition and its social responsibilities.

We can thus see that Caixa's current model is neither exhausted nor unviable. The institution finances urban development initiatives, has grown progressively in recent times, and has become one of the largest banks in the country, which are some of the reasons for it to remain publicly owned. 

What measures will be adopted to strengthen the policy of closer ties with the Apcefs?

Takemoto – This work was successfully carried out by previous administrations, and we intend to deepen this relationship with the Apcefs. How can this be done? Primarily through dialogue. We will talk extensively with all the associations to make it possible to continue the actions already planned, such as the Fenae Games, the Knowledge Network, Inspira, and Talentos.

Expanding dialogue with the APCEFs (Association of Caixa Econômica Federal Employees) will allow for more regional activities and campaigns to attract new members. All of this is on our management's radar. We will therefore combine the continuation of existing programs with the dissemination of new initiatives. Many new things are coming soon.

In this moment of attack on public assets, more than ever we need unity around the Apcefs (Associations of Caixa Employees). We are facing one of the worst attacks on Caixa's survival. We need strong organizations and employees alongside their representatives so that we can defeat this nefarious idea of ​​privatization and the fragmentation of the bank.   

In Fenae's mission to connect organizations, what is the importance of social, sporting, and cultural events?

Takemoto – We must cater to our members in all their dimensions. Therefore, cultural, sporting, and social events are very important to the membership movement. Aware of this, our management intends to maintain initiatives such as the Knowledge Network, Inspira, Talentos, Solidarity Movement, Fenae Games, and #ProntoFalei, understanding that Fenae and the Apcefs should offer Caixa employees the broadest and most exclusive benefits possible.

But first and foremost is the defense of a 100% publicly owned bank and the rights of its workers. We cannot stop offering programs and projects in the social, cultural, and sporting areas to our members, but this must be combined with mobilization to preserve jobs, rights, and for a public Caixa bank that is in tune with the social challenges of the country.

What can Caixa employees expect from initiatives such as the Knowledge Network, Talent Program, and the Solidarity Movement?

Takemoto – Today, Fenae defines itself based on four pillars: defense of Caixa employees and Caixa itself, well-being of Caixa personnel, sustainable asset management, and commitment to society. With these purposes as a benchmark, Fenae and the Apcefs will take decisive steps to position themselves for a new cycle of action, which began in 1971 and is strengthening in 2020.

This is how we will seek to further expand the contribution of the associative movement to a better Brazil and Caixa Econômica Federal, looking to the example of the Solidarity Movement program, whose actions in Belágua (Maranhão) and at the Lar das Crianças Nossa Senhora das Graças (Petrópolis/RJ) have been possible thanks to the participation of all Apcef members, Caixa employees, and Fenae employees themselves. The involvement of all these segments, each with its own unique characteristics, is very positive.  

What best symbolizes initiatives like the Solidarity Movement is the dynamism of associative action combined with an awareness of solidarity towards people in precarious socioeconomic situations.

In the Knowledge Network, we have several courses, and there is a trend towards making more and more available. Regarding the Talent Show, due to the very difficult time the country is going through, we had to make some adjustments. Even with this crisis, the activities related to the cultural competition, which awakens and reveals the artistic aptitudes of Caixa employees, will not be suspended. We understand that it is necessary to offer opportunities for associates working from home, who are experiencing a lot of stress and tension. Therefore, even remotely, the Talent Show will continue. We still don't know when the final of the event will take place, as no one can predict how long this pandemic will last.

As soon as this crisis passes, we will hold the grand finale of the Talentos competition as we always have: through a gathering of employees/participants, in a great celebration among colleagues.

Initiatives such as the Solidarity Movement, the Knowledge Network, Talents, and #ProntoFalei represent the best of what the Caixa employees' association movement has to offer: strength, autonomy, independence, and solidarity. Investments in these programs always return in the form of well-being for the members of the Apcefs, thus reaffirming the importance of participatory policies for the defense of a public and social Caixa and for respect for the rights of employees.

What can Fenae do to expand its partnership with retirees?

Takemoto – How to attract the participation of retirees will be a major concern of our mandate. In the last period, for example, some actions were developed, such as allocating specific places to this segment for events like Talentos and Inspira. In the national games, we have been making more and more space available for the participation of these colleagues.

Another highlight of this partnership is the celebration of National Retiree Day. Fenae also contributes to the Retiree Games, an event organized by Fenacef, and participates in the National Symposium of Caixa Retirees, held annually by entities in the sector.  

We consider it essential to listen carefully to our members and the Apcefs (Associations of Retired Federal Employees), so that retirees can effectively integrate into the daily operations of Fenae (National Federation of Associations of Retired Federal Employees) and the 27 associations across the country. We will have news regarding this in the future.

There are two sides to Fenae's operational path: the political and the commercial. How does your management intend to combine them?

Takemoto – This is an issue that always comes up when the movement represented by Fenae is mentioned. The commercial side is what enables us to develop all the political actions in favor of the public Caixa and the rights of employees. Fenae has qualified staff to advise the Executive Board on the commercial side. Our main source of resources is the Brokerage firm, and we know that, during this pandemic period, the difficulties tend to increase.

Given this currently adverse situation, we will be making some adjustments to our budget, but none of this will impede our political action. Our work in defending employee rights and the public bank, as well as our actions in the social, sporting, and cultural areas, will also remain unaffected.

We consider the commercial aspect of Fenae to be fundamental, as it is what allows us to subsidize all actions in the political, sports-social and cultural spheres. 

On May 29th, Fenae will celebrate its 49th anniversary. What are the main challenges at this time?

Takemoto – In Fenae's 49 years, we have never faced a crisis like this. So, probably, the main challenges for the next period will be based on a scenario of economic recession, with more difficulties for the country and for workers, in particular.

The current government, through all the measures it has adopted, seeks to place the responsibility for its complete incompetence in establishing public policies on the shoulders of the workers. Public investment is one of the alternatives to pull Brazil out of the quagmire in which it finds itself, imposed by privatizing policies.

At Caixa, we must face a scenario of many difficulties. Our first year in office will be marked by moments of great resistance. This means that our work will focus on maintaining the rights of employees and keeping Caixa 100% publicly owned. We will also fight against the privatization of profitable parts of the bank, as the government has already announced will occur as soon as all activities in the production chain are resumed with the end of the pandemic.

However, we are certain of one thing: the first year of our administration will be a time of great struggle. Throughout our term, we will continue what was accomplished by previous administrations. Fenae will continue fighting for a public Caixa, stronger and more valuing the bank's employees. It will also work every day to promote the well-being of the category and offer exclusive benefits.

We have never been so strong in terms of political, associative, and corporate representation. This is the result of a series of administrations that fostered collective struggle and a way of managing assets effectively.  

Fenae's 49 years are the result of a very beautiful history, built collectively. The focus is on democracy, worker participation, transparent dialogue, and defending the quality of life of employees and retirees. We didn't get here alone. We are the result of the actions of previous administrations and a consistent collective struggle.

What is the projected economic scenario for Brazil in the coming period?

Takemoto – The Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese) estimates that, by the end of the year, Brazil will register more than 17 million unemployed. This number represents an increase of almost 50% in an already devastating scenario of 12 million unemployed. And this is already happening with the payment of emergency aid, with practically 100 million people registered to receive the benefit, almost half of the Brazilian population, without the slightest planning on the part of the government.

This entire contingent of people is not only made up of demonstrably poor individuals, but most have been forced into poverty. They are self-employed, freelance professionals who, overnight, found themselves without income. Unfortunately, this scenario will not end in three months, and there is even a prediction of significant post-pandemic hardship due to a deep economic recession. Before the crisis began, the country was already facing many problems, now exacerbated by the chaos in the sanitation and health sectors.

Despite everything, we must foster optimism and not let ourselves be overcome by discouragement. Much unity from all of society will be needed in the search for solutions to overcome this crisis. One important point, however, needs to be emphasized: Fenae has gone beyond the limits of the Caixa employees' movement and has become a reference point for the workers' movement as a whole, acting in favor of Brazil by engaging with various social agents: the National Congress, workers' organizations, and even government sectors.

The role of an organization like this is to always stand alongside all segments that fight for a just and equitable country. To put this into practice, we need not only a board of directors like Fenae's, but also employees committed to this worldview. Fenae's employees also play a fundamental role in building our movement, which has in the National Federation of Personnel Associations one of its greatest references.  

It will be necessary to continue confronting the political forces that want to regress in the country. One idea that could be adopted is the formation of a national network in defense of banks, state-owned companies, and public services. In this way, Caixa employees and representative entities could unite to face difficult situations, seek solutions, and adopt bold and decisive actions.

We will always act in defense of democracy and national sovereignty. This is a fundamental issue.