A Brazilian safety inspector, known nationwide for her passionate campaign on behalf of the country's asbestos disease victims, is facing trial for offending the honour of a former Brazilian government minister.
Asbestos campaigners say the action is an attempt to silence Giannasi. Giannasi said: "Brazilian justice is controlled by powerful corporate interests." She said the latest developments were evidence "of the lengths to which some sections of the Brazilian establishment will go to protect negligent corporations."
Giannasi has received several death threats. After pressure from the asbestos industry, the Labour Ministry has confined Giannasi to her office and banned her from travelling or inspecting workplaces.
On March 25, 2004, John Monks, General Secretary of ETUC wrote to Brazilian President "Lula". He expressed the concern of the European Trade Unions on that case and ask the Brazilian President to intervene.

To read:

• the John Monks's letter [FR] and [PT]
• the letter from the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers [FR] (EFBWW)
• a Fernanda Giannasi's interview [PT]

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