The Brazilian Public Defense has released a new listing of employers involved in slave work in Brazil. According to the Labor Ministry (MET), the "dirty list", as it is called is an updated version of a most recent one, inserting 13 new employers, reiterating 4 and excluding 34 previous names due to a judicial decision.
The collected data includes 175 people amongst individuals and private businesses.
The report is updated every semester, and lists employers who can no longer appeal, as a final verdict has already been reached. On the other hand, it excludes previously listed names, once it is verified by the Ministry that discrepancies have been corrected and lawbreakers have no longer perpetrated the crime.
"By providing information on those infringing the law, who are exploiting workers under the condition of slavery, we are allowing various government entities to establish public initiatives. For example, no bank can approve the lending of public funds, knowing that someone who is listed on this report is infringing the law", informed Marcelo Campos, Advisor for the Secretariat of Labor Inspection for the Labor Ministry.
"In addition to that, such data is important as a referential for society in general, who can demand the implementation of public initiatives, functioning in this case as a mechanism of social control as well,"
concluded Campos.
According to the Ministry, the main reason why some names still appear in the compiled data is due to the non-payment of penalties, repeated occurrence or legal action still being disputed in court. Those whose names appear on the listing are unable to obtain any public or private credit line.
In order for someone to have their name excluded from the report, the Ministry will need new evidence that everything is now in order, including direct and indirect monitoring of the properties in question, local investigation, government and non-government agencies analysis, besides any additional paperwork from the Secretariat of Labor Inspection.
You can see listing of names at @ http://www.mte.gov.br/trab_escravo/lista_2009_07_22.pdf
Edison Bernardo DeSouza is a journalist, having graduated in Social Communication Studies at Pontifical Catholic University in São Paulo, Brazil. He lived in the US and Canada for close to 12 years and participated in volunteering activities in social works agencies. DeSouza currently lives in São Paulo where he teaches English as a Second Language for both private English Language Institute and Private High-School. He has already participated as an actor in three English plays in Brazil and is pursuing further advancements in his career. He is particularly interested in economics, history, politics and human rights articles.
