Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brazil
Original source translated using googletranslate.com: 51 workers were released from their posts working as railway maintenance workers on the stretch of track that runs through the State Park of Serra do Mar between Bot and Santos. The workers were urgently employed, to fill a personnel gap, by a subcontractor of the overall rail company. Most of the victims were recruited from Santo Amaro (Bahia) with false promises – they were initially promised pay of $1,000 with a formal contract. They were promised a schedule of 22 days of work, followed by 8 days of rest. However, after more than two months, some workers had only received $680. The workers’ documents were retained, and their freedom was restricted. Dissatisfaction among workers increased and some managed to leave and return to Bahia. Others were transferred to accommodation in Serra do Mar, where inspectors became aware that the workers were being held as slaves. The accommodation consisted of isolated containers in the woods where workers were forced to sleep on the floor – many reported feeling cold and hungry. Before a kitchen was developed, they often received sour food from another accommodation. There were also limited bathroom facilities and hot water. Work began at 7am for 17 hours a day, 7 days a week. One worker said: “I ask for time off and said, ‘If you want, take. But outside the housing.’ I had to stay outside the housing. Not enough to eat. The only option was to continue working.’ The released workers recalled times when they had to replace de-railed cars back onto the tracks during the night (between evening and the following morning) – it took great physical effort, but they were given no breaks or food. Physical assaults were witnessed, and threats were also recorded regarding machetes and firearms.