Forced LaborArchive 2008–2016

Forced Labor in Primavera do Leste, Mato Grosso (2011)

A forced labor case from 2011 in Primavera do Leste, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?

What happened

Original source translated using googletranslate.com: 12 workers were rescued from a farm in Primavera do Leste. This area belongs to an official of the Court of the State of Mato Grosso (who is also a nephew of the Congressman). The workers’ accommodation was in poor condition and did not have side walls. Some workers slept on beds which were made out of crates and lined with foam, while others slept on matresses on the floor. There were no sanitary facilities on site. Surveillance suggests that the working conditions were ‘appalling’, with poor hygiene and a poor supply of food with low nutritional food. The workers were not provided with any personal protective equipment – this was verified by an inspection on 9th Feb 2011.

Response and intervention

Ministry of Labor and Employment/Public Prosecutors of Labor: Initially, the owner refused to pay the money owing to each worker. He then agreed to pay severance for those released at a second hearing on 24th Feb 2011. On March 1st 2011, the owner signed an Adjustment Term (TAC), committing to comply with proper labor laws, and to pay $50,000 in moral damages. These funds will be allocated to the ‘Fund for the Eradication of Slave Labor Mato Grosso). After receiving a complaint, public agents/inspectors from the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), and public prosecutors of Labor (MP) inspected the farm. They found that conditions were ‘analogous to slavery’. Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) and public prosecutors of Labor (MP) received a 'complaint'.

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Original source translated using googletranslate.com: 20 women and 4 men were found in ‘degrading conditions’ and subjected to ‘exhaustive days’ described as similar to slavery (according to art. 149 of the Penal Code). They were held in sexual exploitation and debt bondage at a nightclub in the “Zero KM” region of Mato Grosso. All the survivors were between 18 and 23 years old. They did not receive the paid weekly rest required by law, and their salary was paid in “chips” which could be exchanged for overpriced products from the store in the club. Some workers had signed contracts which meant that they could not leave the premises until their debt had been paid. The women lived in overcrowded conditions with poor ventilation and fire protection. The sanitary conditions were inadequate and did not comply with hygiene standards.

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Claudia, Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2011

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Original source translated using googletranslate.com: 6 workers were rescued from a farm in Claudia, Mato Grosso. The workers had been hired informally for approx. 2 months, and were promised $25 per hectare of land cleared for cattle grazing. The accommodation consisted of two canvas tents and mattresses. The employer did not provide transport from the accommodation to the farm. Food was prepared in a wood stove which had been made by the workers. The workers drank water from a stream which did not pass through any filtering system. There were also no toilet facilities. It was also reported that pesticides were exposed in an open shed which was less than 30 meters from the housing.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016

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Para, Brazil, 2010

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180 workers were found working on two ranches owned by ‘Lima Araujo Agropecuaria’, in the state of Para, Brazil. This included several adolescents. The premises had previously been raided five times in total between 1998 and 2002. The workers were forced to live in mud huts, with no water and little sanitation. It is reported that sick workers were also denied medical treatment.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016