35 Workers Rescued from Slave-Like Conditions on Piauí Grain Farm

Thirty-five workers were rescued from conditions analogous to slavery on Friday, November 10th, during an inspection of a grain-producing farm in the rural area of Santa Filomena, in the South of Piauí, Brazil. The operation, revealed on November 17th, was conducted by the Labor Audit-Fiscal (AFT) with support from the Public Prosecutor's Office of Labor (MPT) and the Federal Police (PF). Most of the workers hailed from municipalities in Maranhão and were entirely dependent on the farm's facilities for accommodation during their work period. They were housed in a property known as "Pontãozim," located by the Parnaíba River, on the border between Piauí and Maranhão. The inspection uncovered severe irregularities and degrading work conditions. The drinking water source was a dispenser in unsanitary conditions, found to contain frogs, including a dead one, and fecal-like material. Living quarters were small, lacked adequate ventilation and lighting, and had insufficient bedding and insufficient storage for the number of workers, forcing some to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Hazardous storage of diesel fuel and gas cylinders was noted, alongside inadequate electrical installations posing fire and electrocution risks. Workers had to eat meals on the floor due to the absence of dining facilities, and the limited number of toilets lacked basic hygiene supplies like toilet paper and soap. An open-air dump with food waste, PPE, automotive parts, and plastic debris was found near the accommodation. Employers are obligated to cover the workers' lodging and food until all dues are settled and to arrange return transportation for those wishing to go home. Following the rescue, the contracts of the 35 workers were terminated, and R$ 189,716.65 in severance pay was mandated. They will also receive unemployment benefits, consisting of three monthly payments equivalent to a minimum wage.