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32 
((making it hard to organizing))
unfortunately Braz. labor leg. of little 
assistance since domestic workers 
expressly excluded from list of professions 
allowed to unionize & register w/ Ministry of 
Labor 
altho law modified 10 yrs ago to allow 
employers to pay soc. security, paid vaca-
tions, etc, many maids & employers 
ignorant of these changes 
those maids who are aware of their 
its fear dismissal 
in Brazil 1st efforts to organize maids 
date from mid 40's & 1st prof. 
associations from early 60's (the 
above mentioned grantees) - founded 
orig. w/ Church assist. but now 
depend and membership controls 
taking on tasks of organizing & recruiting 
in their limited free time 

the associations seek to inform workers &
public about discriminatory laws & 
practices; also to improve working 
conditions and meet some of the educational 
need of workers 
both grantee assoc's have established 
courses for their members in labor leg, wage 
policy & women's rts. , as well as professional. 
courses in cooking, sewing & home econ -

also recreational activities
both have also provided limited legal ass. to their members, thru pro bono lawyers to help in disputes w/ employers in add. several national meetings have been held to promote prof. identification & bring the problems of the domestic workerst to the public
raised own travel funds thru bake sales, dinners, raffles
little follow up on resolution passed, however, due to lack of resources grans proposed would  provide core support & partial support for hired consultants (organizers), social workers & lawyers
would also allow as series of regional meetings, publication of pamphlets & educ. mats, professional courses, & core support for a national steering committee
hope that the grantees also increase contacts w/ other groups working on problems of discrim against women & Afro-Brazilians
(cont. page 37)