The use of cell phones was banned by the Federal Revenue Service, after the arrest of two Brazilian women in March. Learn more about this subject!
Outsourced workers at São Paulo International Airport, located in Guarulhos, demonstrated against the ban on cell phone use in secure areas of the airport on Tuesday (3). The employee strike affected more than 70 flights throughout the day. The demonstration began at 3 am, when employees marched through the airport halls and interrupted the unloading of luggage.
The Federal Revenue Service has banned the use of cell phones in some areas of the airport that are sensitive to security after two Brazilian women had their luggage tags changed and were arrested in Germany with drugs in their bags. However, the workers say they cannot remain incommunicado.
In a statement, the IRS explained its decision to ban the use of these devices. Continue reading to learn more about this topic, which is causing a stir.
Cell phone ban at the airport
By means of a note, the Federal Revenue reported that it has restricted access to cell phones and equipment that capture images in the restricted security areas of passenger terminals. It also said that organized crime uses personal cell phones to commit crimes, especially when recording security procedures.
In March of this year, Brazilians Kátyna Baía and Jeanne Paollini were arrested in Germany. According to the Federal Police, the labels on their suitcases were switched at the airport and placed on other suitcases that were full of cocaine. After the switch was discovered by Brazilian authorities, the two were released and returned to their country.
The Union of Workers in Companies Providing Auxiliary Air Transport Services in São Paulo agrees that the ban on the use of cell phones is necessary for safety, but states that this right was taken away abruptly and that many workers who have small children, sick family members or pregnant women need immediate communication. The union requested the release of the use of cell phones in all areas of the airport.
The IRS denied that employees cannot speak to their families. According to the agency, they can call the public using the airport's landlines. However, employees say that their workload and the need to travel a long distance make it impossible to use the landline.
Flights
The flights at the International Airport continue to be affected by the employee strike this Wednesday (4). Since 6 am, until now, 11 canceled departure flights and four arrival flights have been registered, all from LATAM.
The company said in a statement that people who have flights scheduled at the airport until Thursday should check the status on the LATAM website before going there. The company also said that it strongly condemns what happened and stands in solidarity with the passengers who were affected by the situation.
Passengers with flights scheduled for today and tomorrow can reschedule their trips without penalty or fare difference or request a refund through the company's website. As of Tuesday night (3), 70 flights had been delayed or canceled due to a lack of staff at the airport. Ramp, conveyor belt, aircraft cleaning and other essential functions have stopped.
GRU Airport, which manages the airport, said it has started a contingency operation to normalize the situation, but flights continue to be impacted at the site.
