Although slavery was officially abolished in the country in 1888, unfortunately, many companies still subject
their employees to analogous situations, aiming to maximize profits at the cost of human dignity
The problem persists, especially in sectors like agriculture, construction, and mining. According to research conducted in 2022, Black and mixed-race individuals make up 84% of those rescued from slave-like conditions. Additionally, a significant portion of these workers are Bolivian and Peruvian immigrants, trafficked to Brazil through deceptive promises of financial advancement.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s (MTE) 2020 report, over 1,200 workers were rescued
from conditions of slave labor in Brazil in 2019. More recently, in August 2024, the largest rescue operation
in the country, Operation Resgate IV, resulted in the rescue of 593 workers. However, rescue data alone is not
enough to measure how many cases are occurring in real-time across the national territory, especially in
rural, isolated regions with limited access to communication and no formal reports.
Although this practice typically happens far from urban centers, the companies involved are some of Brazil’s
largest economic giants. Some of the companies accused of using slave labor in their supply chains and
operations include:
- JBS: The world’s largest meat company, accused of using slave labor on its cattle ranches in Brazil. According to the MTE report, workers were subjected to precarious working conditions, including a lack of personal protective equipment and exposure to dangerous chemicals.
- Vale: The largest mining company in the world, accused of using slave labor in its iron ore mines in Brazil. The MTE report stated that workers were subjected to hazardous working conditions, including a lack oftraining and exposure to accident risks.
- Odebrecht: One of Brazil’s largest construction companies, accused of using slave labor at its constructionsites. According to the MTE report, workers faced poor working conditions, including a lack of personal protective equipment and exposure to dangerous chemicals.
- Renner: One of Brazil’s largest retail companies, accused of using slave labor in its garment factories. According to the MTE report, workers were subjected to precarious conditions, including the lack of personal protective equipment and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Other companies involved include Marfrig, BRF, Cargill, Nestlé, Ambev, and Klabin.
Complete and Updated List Below:
https://www.gov.br/trabalho-e-emprego/pt-br/assuntos/inspecao-do-trabalho/areas-de-atuacao/
cadastro_de_empregadores.pdf
Consequences of Slave Labor Practices
It is important to highlight that slave labor has serious consequences for workers, including:
Exhausting Hours: Workers are forced to work long hours without proper remuneration.
Poor Working Conditions: Workers are subjected to dangerous working environments, including the lack of
personal protective equipment and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Freedom Restrictions: Workers are prevented from leaving the workplace or communicating with the outside
world, often having their passports and ID cards confiscated.
Below Minimum Wage: Workers are paid below the legal minimum wage.
The Responsibility of Companies
Brazilian companies play a crucial role in preventing and eradicating slave labor in their supply chains and
operations. It is necessary to extend inspections to all stages of production, not focusing solely on large
companies. There is also a need to raise awareness among workers, many of whom are illiterate and unaware of their legal rights, about the country’s labor laws. Furthermore, facilitating and encouraging whistleblowing is
essential, as many workers fear the financial cost of the process and avoid making reports.
Unfortunately, the country’s inequality makes it difficult for many, even when recognizing the inhumane
conditions they are subjected to, to see alternatives for their and their families’ livelihoods. Around 11.5% of
Brazil’s population is illiterate, meaning they lack basic reading and writing skills. Additionally, 40% of the
adult population has not completed secondary education. High market demands, contrasted with the
country’s reality, lead many to seek unregulated jobs, free from labor rights. Ironically, illegal work is often
done for renowned companies where other employees, with higher education, enjoy full rights.
Brazilian companies must expand their social inclusion policies, offering employment programs for
vulnerable and historically marginalized groups. In these cases, professional training should be provided by
the company itself, adapting education to individual needs. Only with effective public policies, companies committed to social responsibility, and an educated and empowered population will we be able to build a more just Brazil, free from the exploitation and violence of slave-like labor. The struggle for human dignity and equal rights must be ongoing, and it is up to all of us, as a society, to promote this transformation, never placing respect for humanity below economic profits.
References
MTE updates the Registry of Employers who subjected workers to conditions analogous to slavery. Retreived on February 14, 2025 from https://www.gov.br/trabalho-e-emprego/pt-br/noticias-e-conteudo/2024/Abril/mte-atualiza-o-cadastro-de-empregadores-que-submeteram-trabalhadores-a-condicoes-analogas-a-escravidao
Global Slavery Index. Retreived on February 14, 2025 from https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/findings/global-findings/?utm_source=
2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Brazil. Retreived on February 14, 2025 from https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/brazil/?utm_source=
Slave-like labor: over 2,000 workers rescued in Brazil in 2024.Retreived on February 14, 2025 from https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/direitos-humanos/noticia/2025-01/slave-labor-over-2000-workers-rescued-brazil-2024
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I’m reaching out to thank you for addressing such an important topic as modern slavery.
I found your article very insightful.
I recently found research about modern slavery that left me shocked – https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/what-is-modern-slavery-a-comprehensive-research/.
It’s hard to imagine that 49.6 million people are subjected to modern slavery – that’s more than the population of California!
I believe that this research is worth sharing with your readers to give them more information how significant the problem of modern slavery is and how much closer to us it is than it seems.