On 18th March 2023, Brazilian authorities rescued 212 rural sugarcane workers from degrading working conditions in Minas Gerais and Goiás. The workers were employed in the production of alcohol and sugar cane, and amongst the findings of the inspection conducted by the Ministry of Labor, was that the workers were charged rent for the ranches they stayed in, and had to pay for their work equipment. In addition, most of the houses they lived in lacked minimum conditions, and there were no adequate sanitation facilities or protective equipment. The workers were recruited by an outsourced company and are now under government care.

Modern slavery remains a significant problem in Brazil, with the issue prevalent in agricultural activities, especially in sugarcane and coffee farming. There have also been cases reported in urban areas, including clothing manufacturing, domestic work, and construction. Workers are often recruited from vulnerable regions in Brazil, with a significant number coming from states such as Bahia, Piauí, Maranhao, and Rio Grande do Norte.

Data from the Labor Inspectorate shows the number of people rescued from such conditions has doubled in two years, increasing from 936 in 2020 to 2,075 in 2022. Last year saw the highest number of rescues since 2013, with 2,808 people rescued. Of the 890 people rescued in 2023 to date, 365 worked in Goiás, which has seen the highest number of exploitation cases in the country. The Brazilian Federal Police will open an investigation into the recent case.

Measures are being taken by the government to tackle the problem. In 2021, the Brazilian President signed a law that enables the confiscation of properties involved in modern slavery. The government has also formed a national commission to combat worker exploitation, which is responsible for developing and monitoring public policies related to the issue. As Brazil moves forward, the hope is that the situation of exploited workers will be addressed in the fight against modern slavery.