TST minister defends new Ports Law and denies harm to port workers

Minister of the Superior Labor Court (TST) participated in the Summit Portos 2025, held in Brasília (Samuel Andrade/Special to A Tribuna)

A proposal aimed at modernizing port legislation without harming workers. With this statement, minister of the Superior Labor Court (TST) Douglas Alencar summarized the need to change the sector’s legal framework and defended the proposals of Bill (PL) 733/2025, which revises the so-called Ports Law (12.815/2013).

The statement was made last Wednesday during the Summit Portos 2025, held in Brasília by Grupo Tribuna. Alencar chaired the Commission of Legal Experts for the Legal Review of Port Operations and Port Facilities (Ceportos), whose report gave rise to the bill currently under discussion in the National Congress.

The proposal regarding port workers is one of the most controversial aspects of the initiative, criticized by unions, which view it as weakening labor organizations and concentrating power in the hands of employers.

Douglas Alencar was emphatic in denying that Ceportos' work opposed workers’ interests. “At no point did we aim to downgrade labor conditions or devalue the work. Absolutely not — that was never part of the reflections or debates held within Ceportos”, he assured.

Even so, he acknowledged that the proposed changes impact the traditional structure of the port sector. “We know this proposal represents a seismic shift, particularly concerning the 1993 structure, with labor management bodies that will, evidently, continue to operate”, he noted. According to him, these entities “may persist depending on the interests of port operators based at the public port terminal. ”

Exclusivity and training Among the most sensitive points of the bill is the redefinition of exclusivity in port labor. According to Alencar, the proposal seeks to “grant exclusivity a broader dimension, as exclusivity will belong to those who are qualified, prepared, and trained for port activity.” The idea is to ensure that only skilled professionals can perform port duties.

In this regard, the minister emphasized that an important chapter addresses workforce training in the sector. “There is unanimous understanding that the existing resources in the specific fund are not being allocated for the necessary training. ”

Sest-Senat to be responsible for training Regarding the training of port workers, Minister Douglas Alencar explained that the proposal stipulates that the Sest-Senat system (Social Service for Transport and National Transport Learning Service) will be the preferred certifying body, with a five-year transition period for current casual port workers (TPAs) to obtain certification.

“Antaq (National Agency for Waterway Transportation) will maintain a national registry of workers, who will have full freedom of movement across all national ports”, he explained.

Another highlight in the minister’s remarks was the emphasis on strengthening collective bargaining, although the proposal also provides for restricting the concept of casual port worker, a point criticized by unions. The minister acknowledged that there is “a great deal of uncertainty and contention regarding this extension of power”, but defended the appreciation of labor unions.

“We are among those who recognize unions as the primary social interlocutors representing the labor class and, of course, also the business sector.”

Alencar also highlighted the importance of legitimate and well-structured unions for effective collective bargaining. “I believe the National Congress still owes Brazil a more robust union legislation, one that brings the necessary empowerment for the model conceived in 2017 to deliver the best results”, he added.