A ATUAÇÃO DO JUDICIÁRIO TRABALHISTA E A PRECARIZAÇÃO DO TRABALHO: as decisões do TST e TRT do Maranhão e sua relação com a terceirização e flexibilização do trabalho

Abstract

The Judicial Power and the precarization of labor. Reflection of judicial decisions in social life has not been approached with the importance the matter requires, especially where the relations resulting from the conflicts between capital and work are concerned. The purpose of this paper is to draw the attention to decisions made by the Labour Federal High Court and the Regional Labour Court in Maranhão relative to precarious labour in Brazil, with emphasis on aspects such as contracting out, flexibilization of rights, poor health and hygienic conditions of workers and degrading work, which, sometimes, reaches the boundaries of slavery. The judicial posture adopted by the Labour Justice seeks to strike a balance between protecting the worker and preserving the company. Considering that the Judicial Power is part of the capitalist State, accomplishing that goal is questionable. In despite of that, the Labour Justice has developed and established itself as the branch of the Judiciary closest to social issues, not only when it plays the role of a mediator between individual and collective conflicts, but also when it, through its judges, prevents the fraud to the employment protection legislation. It can be concluded that the decisions of the Judicial Power based on constitutional principles and rules of employment protection and dignity of human being contribute to the effectiviness of labour rights.