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Retrato Escravo 314
Retrato Escravo 314
Escritrio no Brasil
crditos
logos
rosto
ESCRAVOS
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Silvio Vaz
Presidente da Fundao Vale
Las Abramo
Diretora do Escritrio da OIT no Brasil
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mobilizao e ao
Secretaria de inspeo do Trabalho
(SIT/MTE)
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expressiva elevao o nmero de fazendas fiscalizadas: 206, em 2007, ante 77, em 1995. A variao
positiva desses parmetros de desempenho reflete-se no principal sinalizador de resultado da poltica: nmero de trabalhadores libertados. Em 2007,
o Grupo Mvel retirou da condio anloga de
escravos 5.999 trabalhadores; em 1995, o total foi
de 84 trabalhadores. Mesmo ao se comparar perodos mais recentes, verifica-se a expanso dos
resultados. No trinio 20022004, o grupo resgatou 10.395 trabalhadores; no trinio 20052007,
libertou 13.764 trabalhadores.
Duas outras aes formam o trip da interveno
do Ministrio do Trabalho e Emprego sobre o fenmeno. Trata-se do Cadastro de Empregadores
Infratores e do seguro-desemprego especial para
o libertado.
Institudo em 2004, o cadastro um importante instrumento inibidor da prtica, embora de natureza
meramente informativa. formado por pessoas fsicas e jurdicas flagradas pela fiscalizao praticando
a reduo de trabalhadores condio anloga de
escravos e tem sido consultado pelas instituies
bancrias pblicas e privadas, para avaliao das
solicitaes de acesso ao crdito ou a incentivo fiscais.
EM BUSCA DE LIBERDADE
Leonardo Sakamoto
fervido. Eram impedidos de deixar o local de trabalho devido a dvidas ilegais contradas com o
gato, como conhecido o contratador de mo de
obra das fazendas.
Tempos depois, acompanhei minha primeira ao
de libertao de trabalhadores na fazenda Peruano, em Eldorado dos Carajs, sul do Par o nome
familiar, no? Para quem no se lembra, a cidade foi palco do massacre de 19 trabalhadores rurais,
em abril de 1996. Aps denncia de um trabalhador
fugitivo, o grupo formado por auditores fiscais do
Ministrio do Trabalho e Emprego, policiais federais
e um procurador do Ministrio Pblico do Trabalho
libertou 52 pessoas. Algumas no eram pagas h
meses, recebendo apenas comida e alojamento
pequenas barracas de lona, repletas de redes, onde
se penduravam dezenas de trabalhadores. A gua
que utilizavam era imprpria, mas servia, ao mesmo tempo, para consumo, banho e lavagem de
roupa. Isso, sem falar da vigilncia armada para
impedir fugas.
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ou porque acumulam dvidas, que se originam desde o pagamento do transporte, alimentao e ferramentas de trabalho, ou porque so levados para
regies longnquas, o que lhes dificulta o acesso,
ou ainda porque so coagidos a permanecer no
local para onde foram levados, atravs de mecanismos de coao moral e at mesmo a violncia fsica e psicolgica.
A escravido contempornea, presente nas relaes
de trabalho no campo brasileiro, tem mobilizado
grande parcela da sociedade, que se movimenta no
sentido de combat-la e s outras formas de violncia causadas por fazendeiros, em vrios estados
do nosso pas.
Como resposta presso da sociedade brasileira e
da comunidade internacional, que exigem o fim do
trabalho escravo, o governo brasileiro criou o Grupo
Especial Mvel de Fiscalizao de Trabalho Escravo,
ligado ao Ministrio do Trabalho e do Emprego (MTE),
que tem realizado um importante trabalho de fiscalizao e combate a essas prticas.
Comprovada a denncia, a propriedade e o proprietrio passam a integrar o Cadastro dos Empregadores Flagrados Explorando Mo de Obra Escrava,
A esperana nua
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seu sarney
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Antnia
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Bernardo
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Maria e Jos
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english version
The work analogous to slavery, in 21st century, is still a sad reality in some remote areas
In 2009 Vale approved a global human rights policy that establishes guidelines and prin-
of Brazil.
ciples for the companys actions to foster respect for human rights in its projects and
operations, throughout the life cycle of its activities and production chain in the areas
The eradication of this type of work requires joint efforts of governments, public and
where it is present. Promoting human dignity and the pursuit of management excellence
private companies and throughout society. Vale and its Foundation are deeply committed
were already core values for Vale before the policy was published, since they have always
We monitor risks associated with the use of forced and child labour identified throughout
Vale Foundation is proactive. Social programmes in place since 1997 have focus on pro-
the mineral production chain. To prevent them, we use contractual instruments that
tecting and promoting the rights of children and young people, always in partnership with
regulate the relationship with suppliers and customers, human resources guidelines to
We also support campaigns to educate the public run by the International Labour Or-
tional organisations.
ganisation (ILO) and regional branches of the Labour Ministry. Other important initiatives
in human and economic development include the implementation of Knowledge Stations
We are constantly on the watch for any penalties imposed on participants in our value
in partnership with municipal governments, Child & Adolescent Rights Councils and civil
chain under the environmental and labour laws. For example, this surveillance recently
society entities. Knowledge Stations are centres for the promotion of long-term inte-
enabled us to identify the use of non-certified wood and/or forced labour among suppliers
grated actions to contribute to the development of people, especially children and ado-
of charcoal to pig iron producers. In October 2007 we suspended the supply of iron ore
to seven customers who produce pig iron. This was the first time a sale was stopped because of human rights violations.
As a result, in July 2008 we signed an undertaking with the Environment Ministry whereby Vale obligates itself to sell iron ore to producers of pig iron only if they use environmentally licensed inputs including certified wood and charcoal. This was another step in
Silvio Vaz
123
Slavery was officially abolished in Brazil on May 13, 1888, when the Imperial Government
The existence of slave labour in Brazil, especially in the Amazon agricultural frontier region,
yielded to pressure from the Abolitionists and signed the Golden Law. Unfortunately, more
reveals a situation of extreme vulnerability and poverty among rural workers. Lack of alterna-
than 120 years later thousands of workers are still condemned to a slave-like existence in
tives for people who have never been to school, are mostly illiterate and are not skilled in any
Brazil and millions are doing forced labour worldwide. Countless situations have been pin-
trade or craft, alongside a dearth of opportunities for decent employment in town and country
pointed around the globe in recent years in which men, women and children are deprived of
alike, makes workers vulnerable to these practices, which constitute a gross violation of human
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) addresses the issue of forced labour in two
Despite the complexity of the problem, Brazil is considered an example to the world in
conventions. The 1930 Forced Labour Convention (ILO 29) opens with the following defini-
combating contemporary slavery. The effectiveness of the action taken to stamp out slave
tion: forced or compulsory labour shall mean all work or service which is exacted from
labour in Brazil is due above all to the cooperation seen in recent years among govern-
measures that are not yet sufficient to stamp out this crime,
freed workers.
any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered
ment, private enterprise, civil society, trade unions and international organisations.
yet have at least put the issue on the nations social agenda and deserve recognition by other governments and in-
himself voluntarily. The 1957 Convention Concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour (ILO
105) establishes that forced labour can never be justified or used as a means of eco-
In a country disfigured by stark social inequality throughout its history, recognising and
understanding the ways in which rural workers are exploited is the first step towards
eradicating slave labour. The ILO expects this book to help make the problem more pal-
pable. These photographs of people involved in such situations speak for themselves. They
need to be published in order to prove that extreme forms of exploitation and domination
of the Brazilian Penal Code, as redrafted in 2003 by Law 10,803, defines the crime of
Las Abramo
ers from the location where they are employed and assure
be updated semiannually.
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125
out in the wilds? The flying squad must act swiftly to take
these workers had not been paid for months. Their quarters
who guard the estate. But when these mens weapons are
The photographs you will see here are not images but a call
Their only water supply was polluted. And they were con-
Ever since that raid to free enslaved workers from the ranch
pay since this law was passed has steadily increased. From
16% of all those freed in 2003, the first year, it rose to 72.8%
into your heart and stays inside you for a long time. There
others but all with the same story. Like Pedro, who lost count
people in our society have for the last few centuries, or you
can face this disgrace head on and help wipe it out. As long
In search of freedom
wire to them for miles and miles under the blistering Amazon
Leonardo Sakamoto*
126
family. His mother gave him away when he was three. He has
worked since the age of 12 to pay his way, to buy food, clothes
your heart and stays inside you fo r a long time. There are
ing down the Amazon forest to make fences for his bosss
never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
ple in our society have for the last few centuries, or you can
out from the heat and died of boiled blood, but were for-
like the rest anyway. The boots he wears to work were de-
The flying squad speed along dirt roads to the ranch. They
have with them the runaway worker who gave them the lead.
penny for all the work done in those two years. All they gave
bour (Conatrae).
127
Web pages:
our own time degrades human beings and for this very reason
Leonardo Sakamoto
must be combated.
www.cpdoc.fgv.br
www.cpt.org.br
www.onu.brasil.org.br
hard work will make their lives better but this hope is shat-
est details. At the same time they highlight child labour prac-
of recruitment.
slave-like labour.
law. A slave was a mere chattel under the law. The right of
References
Law, signed on May 13, 1888. For many people, that law
meant liberty for the black Africans captured and sold into
combat this crime under Decree 1538. They included the Ex-
slavery in Brazil but did not spell the complete end of slav-
128
129
Stories
ernmental organisations.
sacre at Una.
against slavery.
and heavily armed men had got out and shot the inspec-
tors dead.
ment in Braslia.
The Federal Police charged two brothers, Norberto and
130
Labour Ministry. The trial has not yet been held at the time
Mr. Sarney cant see. But he isnt as blind as people with two
good eyes who cant see the slave labour in Brazil. There are
plenty like that in Braslia where the other Sarney still reigns.
page 93 Antnia
Even the soil of that blighted land, accustomed as it is to
see trees felled every day, was astonished when Dona Antnia
came from afar and tried to stick two simple planks in the
ground. No, sir, it was nothing big. But at the same time, it
was bigger than the whole wide world.
Anyway, who can measure the real size of a cross?
Antnia lives in Barras, a town accustomed to seeing its
children leave in search of a job and a better life. Some return
with little, others with even less, and some dont return at
all, losing their way somewhere between one big ranch and
another, one placer mine and another, like sailors lost at sea,
abandoning roots and remembrances. And there are those
who fall by the wayside, felled like the trees of the region.
Her husband had been killed at Fazenda Primavera in Curionpolis, southern Par, in 1997. She went in search of justice
and to plant a cross. She failed to achieve either. The crime
remains unpunished and she trudges on with her cross.
A picturesque river runs through Barras. From time to time
the remembrances flood back, and Antnia bursts her banks
with so much sadness.
page 97 Bernardo
Bernardo was one of the last to see Chico, Dona Antnias
husband. They were both employed by Fazenda Primavera.
Bernardo buried him. And destiny decided he should also
bury another Chico, from Batalha, Piau, on the same farm.
They say the first one was done to death, the second died
of natural causes. Of weariness. A long battle against
hunger and illness, dying a little each day.
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132
2 pgina page
15 pgina page
24 pgina page
32 pgina page
38 pgina page
Agropecuria, Par.
Charcoal camp, Par
Desmatamento, Par
Logging, Par
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
6 pgina page
17 pgina page
26 pgina page
33 pgina page
39 pgina page
Cana-de-acar,
interior de So Paulo.
Sugarcane,
interior of So Paulo.
Carvoaria,
norte de Minas Gerais
Charcoal camp,
north of Minas Gerais.
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
7 pgina page
18 pgina page
29 pgina page
35 pgina page
40 pgina page
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
10 pgina page
20 pgina page
30 pgina page
36 pgina page
42 pgina page
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
12 pgina page
23 pgina page
31 pgina page
37 pgina page
44 pgina page
Agropecuria, Par
Charcoal camp, Par
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
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134
60 pgina page
66 pgina page
72 pgina page
78 pgina page
Cana-de-acar,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Sugarcane, Mato Grosso do Sul
Cana-de-acar, Maranho
Sugarcane, Maranho
Carvoaria,
norte de Minas Gerais
Charcoal camp,
north of Minas Gerais.
Reunio de trabalhadores
com o grupo mvel, Par
Meeting of workers with flying
squad, Par
48 pgina page
55 pgina page
61 pgina page
67 pgina page
73 pgina page
81 pgina page
Cana-de-acar, Bahia
Sugarcane, Bahia
Carvoaria,
norte de Minas Gerais
Charcoal camp,
north of Minas Gerais.
49 pgina page
56 pgina page
62 pgina page
69 pgina page
74 pgina page
83 pgina page
Alojamento de trabalhadores
rurais, Par
Farm workers dormitory, Par
Trabalhador vtima
de malria, Par
Malaria victim, Par
Desmatamento,
Santana do Araguaia, Par
Logging,
Santana do Araguaia, Par
50 pgina page
58 pgina page
63 pgina page
70 pgina page
76 pgina page
85 pgina page
Cana-de-acar,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Sugarcane, Mato Grosso do Sul
Cana-de-acar,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Sugarcane, Mato Grosso do Sul
Desmatamento, Maranho
Logging, Maranho
Cana-de-acar, Cear
Sugarcane, Cear
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
51 pgina page
59 pgina page
64 pgina page
71 pgina page
77 pgina page
86 pgina page
Carvoaria, Par
Charcoal camp, Par
Carvoaria,
norte de Minas Gerais
Charcoal camp,
north of Minas Gerais
Cana-de-acar, Cear
Sugarcane, Cear
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
47 pgina page
52 pgina page
135
87 pgina page
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Sugarcane, So Paulo
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Extrativismo vegetal
(seringueiro), Par
Rubber tapping
(Rubber tapper), Par
89 pgina page
95 pgina page
Centro de beneficiamento de
carvo, Mato Grosso do Sul
Charcoal processing unit,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Desmatamento, Par
Logging, Par
Joo Roberto Ripper, 1992
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
Extrativismo vegetal
(seringueiro), Par
Rubber tapping
(Rubber tapper), Par
90 pgina page
96 pgina page
Carvoaria,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Charcoal camp,
Mato Grosso do Sul
91 pgina page
99 pgina page
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Pecuria, Par
Cattle ranch, Par
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Carvoaria, Piau
Charcoal camp, Piau
Centro de beneficiamento
de carvo, Mato Grosso do Sul
Charcoal processing unit,
Mato Grosso do Sul
Alojamento de bias-frias,
Cana-de-acar, So Paulo
Farm workers dormitory,
cane cutters, So Paulo
92 pgina page
136
94 pgina page
137
Soter Design
EDIO DE FOTOGRAFIAS | photo editing
Ana Soter
Celso Oliveira
Isabel Santana terron
Tiago Santana
TRATAMENTO DE IMAGENS | image treatment
Ponto&Meio
COORDENAO GRFICA | graphic coordination
Leonardo Sakamoto
Organizao internacional do trabalho (OIT)
TRADUO | translation
Kevin M. B. Mundy
REVISO de texto| proofreading
Rose Silveira
IMPRESSO | printing
Ipsis Grfica
139
As designaes empregadas nas publicaes da OIT, segundo a praxe adotada pelas Naes Unidas, e
a apresentao de material nelas includas no significam, da parte da Organizao Internacional do
Trabalho, qualquer juzo com referncia situao legal de qualquer pas ou territrio citado ou de
suas autoridades, ou delimitao de suas fronteiras.
A responsabilidade por opinies contidas em artigos assinados, estudos e outras contribuies recai
exclusivamente sobre seus autores, e sua publicao pela OIT no significa endosso s opinies nelas
expressadas.
Referncias a firmas e produtos comerciais e a processos no implicam qualquer aprovao pela
Secretaria Internacional do Trabalho, e o fato de no se mencionar uma firma em particular, produto
comercial ou processo no significa qualquer desaprovao.
As publicaes da OIT podem ser obtidas nas principais livrarias ou no Escritrio da OIT no Brasil:
Setor de Embaixadas Norte, Lote 35, Braslia - DF, 70800-400, tel.: (61) 2106-4600, ou no International
Labour Office, CH-1211. Geneva 22, Sua. Catlogos ou listas de novas publicaes esto disponveis
gratuitamente nos endereos acima, ou por email: vendas@oitbrasil.org.br
Visite nosso site: www.oit.org.br
Impresso no Brasil
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