Labor officials from Brazil’s Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) have rescued 586 workers from slave-like conditions at a construction site for an ethanol plant in Porto Alegre do Norte, Mato Grosso. The operation, conducted by the Mobile Inspection Task Force (GEFM) and the Regional Labor Superintendence (SRTE/MT), took place between July 20 and October 7, with support from the Federal Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) and the Federal Police, reports BdF.
According to the news report, the investigation began after a fire broke out in July 2025 in the makeshift dormitories where workers were housed. Inspectors found overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, irregular access to water and electricity, and the use of untreated river water. During the fire, Military Police reportedly used rubber bullets and detained some workers for several days. Seventeen workers were later dismissed “for cause,” though investigators found no evidence linking them to the fire.
According to labor auditor Flora Pereira, who led the operation, the case was marked by extreme informality and serious violations of labor rights. “Workers were living in degrading conditions, sleeping on the floor without beds or bedding,” she said, adding that the inspection revealed a complete lack of official documentation and procedures.
The workers, employed by TAO Construtora to build an ethanol plant for agribusiness firm 3tentos, were initially reported as 563 in early August, but the number rose to 586 as inspectors found 23 additional victims. Officials uncovered an off-the-books system used to hide unpaid overtime, with more than 177,000 hours unrecorded. In total, the company failed to pay about R$ 3.9 million (US$ 720,000) in benefits.
Labor authorities ordered the companies to pay R$ 7.7 million (US$ 1.4 million) in severance, back pay, and damages. The 17 dismissals were overturned, and all rescued workers gained access to unemployment insurance.
Of the 586 workers, 96% identified as Black, and most were recruited informally from Maranhão, Bahia, and Piauí. Only three were women, working as cooks. Many had to pay their own travel expenses or had those costs deducted from their wages.
Since its creation in 1995, Brazil’s Mobile Inspection Task Force has freed more than 68,000 people from slave-like working conditions.
In a statement issued after the first rescues, 3tentos said it had launched an internal investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and transparency. TAO Construtora said it was cooperating with authorities and had signed a Conduct Adjustment Agreement with prosecutors without admitting guilt.
Both companies were contacted again after the total number of rescued workers rose to 586 but had not responded by the time of publication.
