A joint demonstration by non-governmental organizations Conectas and Adere demanded, before the United Nations Human Rights Council, that Brazil reinforce mechanisms to combat modern slavery.
In a demonstration held this Thursday (28), the organizations presented figures on the exploitation of labor similar to slavery, highlighting that there were more than 60 thousand rescues in the last 21 years in the country.
“The majority [das vítimas] are agribusiness workers. In 2023 alone, more than 3 thousand people were rescued. The majority of those rescued are black, historically victims of social exclusion and the false abolition of slavery”, said the entities in a video presented to the council.
In this Thursday’s demonstration, Conectas and Adere recalled that activities have been partially paralyzed since January this year due to a mobilization of the category of labor inspectors. According to the union that represents professionals, the impact on activities was 65% in February.
“Despite efforts, the Brazilian State remains ineffective in this fight. Actions to combat slave labor are suspended. We demand that Brazil reestablish actions to combat slave labor and adopt more public policies that tackle structural inequality and racism” highlighted the organizations .
A proposal is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies that provides for the expropriation of properties where labor is exploited in conditions similar to slavery. The topic, however, did not move forward. Conectas and Adere highlighted the need to implement the measure.
“Development is needed for the victims’ places of origin and regulation of the amendment that provides for the expropriation of properties with slave labor in Brazil. We ask the international community for more responsibility from companies that control global production chains with slave and precarious labor; which profit, especially with the exploitation of black people”, they concluded.
Editing: Nicolau Soares
