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Brazil

Brazilian trade unions have a long history of social struggles for workers' rights and political action in defense of democracy. At various times they have been the protagonists of collective actions with an immense impact on the country's history. 

The strike wave of 1917-1920, the political role of trade unions in the corporatist regime of Getulio Vargas in the 1930s and 40s, the struggle for social reforms in the run-up to the military coup of 1964, the decisive role of the so-called "new trade unionism" in the fight against the military dictatorship and the building of a strong trade unionism linked to social movements in the 1980s and 1990s are some examples of the relevant role of trade unionism in Brazilian history. Additionally, the election of former metalworker and labour leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president of Brazil three times provides an important parameter of the presence of trade unionism in the country's public life.

For some years now, there have been various initiatives by unions and confederations to preserve and publicize their memory. Below are some examples, among others:

1) Centro de Documentação da Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CEDOC/CUT)

2) Centro de Memória Sindical

3) IIEP (Intercâmbio, Informações, Estudos e Pesquisas)

4) Projeto ABC de Luta do Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos do ABC 

5) Centro de Documentação do Sindicato dos Bancários de São Paulo