A 63-year-old domestic worker, who had worked for the same family for 32 years, was rescued in a condition similar to slavery after an inspection in the city of Nova Era (140 km from Belo Horizonte).
The maid had never received a salary, had no fixed working hours, nor rest on weekends and vacations. He received social security benefits, but did not have direct access to the money, which was in the possession of the employer.
She worked in two houses on the same lot. In addition to domestic activities, she acted as a caregiver for two elderly people.
The case was identified from an anonymous complaint made in February 2022 to the Public Ministry of Labor.
The rescue was made between June 5th and 7th after the Justice granted a precautionary action to authorize access to the residence. The inspection had the participation of the Labor Tax Audit and the Federal Police.
According to the Labor Tax Audit in Minas Gerais, the maid was found in degrading conditions and, therefore, the case was classified as working conditions analogous to slavery.
The victim was rescued and removed from the place where he lived and worked and was taken into the care of his family. The elderly will also be accompanied by the Social Assistance of the municipality.
In a note, the Public Ministry of Labor reported that it continues to investigate the case “to prove the existence of the employment relationship, the duration and the practice of appropriation of the retirement benefit of the elderly”.
If the content of the complaint is confirmed, the employer will have to pay labor and severance pay and issue unemployment insurance guides.
Reparation may be made at the administrative level, through the signature of a Term of Adjustment for spontaneous repair of moral and material damages caused to the worker and society.
If this administrative agreement is not possible, a public civil action will be filed in the Labor Court.
At least 500 people were rescued in Brazil this year in conditions similar to slavery between January and May this year, according to data released by the Inspection Division for the Eradication of Slave Labor of the Ministry of Labor and Welfare.
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