Brazil’s president bows to farm lobby pressure to rework controversial slavery decree
The new law would derail enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers from slave-like conditions since 1995
Brazil’s government will issue a new decree changing the country’s definition of slavery following an earlier order that was widely criticised as a reversal in the fight against forced labour, a presidential aide said on Friday.
In Brazil, forced labour has been defined as a form of modern-day slavery. This includes debt bondage, degrading work conditions, and long work hours that pose a risk to a worker’s health or life, and violate their dignity.
Human rights campaigners said a decree issued by the labour ministry on Monday changed the way slavery was defined, limiting it to a victim’s freedom of movement but disregarding other abuses.
The new decree, sought by Brazil’s powerful farm lobby, would derail enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers from slave-like conditions since 1995, according to federal prosecutors and labour inspectors.
Responding to the criticism, President Michel Temer said the decree would be modified but not revoked.