News on forced labour

Hundreds of Brazilian workers rescued at least twice from slavery in past 15 years

06 February 2018

The Digital Observatory of Slave Labour in Brazil, a joint project by the ILO and the Federal Labour Prosecution Office, has issued new data on slave labour in the country.

Brazil: III Seminar of the National Pact to Eradicate Slave labour

Launched in 2005, the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave labour is celebrating its 5 years of existence. The international seminar will gather the signatories of the Pact to assess the enforcement of the Pact, present the results of the monitoring process, and discuss the situation of supply chains facing the issue, and will also present good practices of employers against contemporary slavery.
Domini Reaches Agreement with Nucor on Slavery in Brazil

13 August 2010

After a three-year engagement, Domini, an investment firm specializing exclusively in socially responsible investing, has reached an important and far-reaching agreement with Nucor, the largest steel producer in the United States.

“Contemporary forms of slavery in Brazil are crimes that must be punished,” says the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

10 June 2010

During her mission, the Special Rapporteur congratulated Brazil for openly discussing and addressing forced labour: “The Brazilian Government has led the way in combating forced labour

Second national seminar of the monitoring Committee of the national Pact to eradicate slave labour

The seminar will gather employers and companies signatories of the National Pact. The results of a new study on Supply Chain will be presented and some good practices will be presented. The Code of conduct of the National Pact will be given to participants.

Brazil supports the ILO in the fight against forced labour

22 December 2008

The Brazilian Government will contribute US$ 300,000 to the ILO’s Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA) to promote the agenda on decent work, in particular in the fight against forced labour in Latin America.

Brazil: The 2nd National Action Plan to Eradicate Slave Labour has been launched

22 September 2008

Learning from their 5 year experience, the CONATRAE prepared a Second Action Plan which was adopted on the 10 September 2008. After making an analysis of the achievements and the difficulties of the first national plan, this second plan offers 66 measures to combat forced labour, the first one being to keep the eradication of forced labour as a priority for the Brazilian State, with more concrete and realistic goals.

ILO Brazil Combating Forced Labour Campaign wins important Publicity Prize

02 June 2008

In 2007, a publicity piece of art – a magazine centerfold – was created by the agency AlmapBBDO for ILO’s Project Combating Forced Labour in Brazil. The piece won one Advertising Award “Abril”, 2008 edition, in the category "Creation in Review – Reader’s Opinion".

Forced labour in Brazil: 120 years after the abolition of slavery, the fight goes on

13 May 2008

On May 13th 1888, Brazil became the last nation in the Western Hemisphere to formally abolish slavery. One-hundred and twenty years later, it is estimated that 25,000 to 40,000 workers are still victims of conditions analogous to slavery in this South American country. The problem is particularly serious in the northern agricultural states, where widespread poverty and the vast distances make it very difficult to detect violations. However, with the guidance of the ILO and the help of employers, the Brazilian government is gradually turning the situation around. ILO Online reports from Brazil.

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