Brazilian officials rescue workers in slave-like conditions

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

Brazilian officials rescue workers in slave-like conditions
By Helena de Moura, CNN
September 12, 2010 1:05 a.m. EDT

(CNN) -- Brazilian officials have said they will continue to crack down on farms accused of forcing workers into slave-like conditions, the country's labor ministry said after authorities rescued nearly 150 workers.

Brazil's labor ministry announced it had coordinated with law enforcement agencies to rescue 95 workers in Campo de Goytacazes, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and 51 workers in Cambui, in the Minas Gerais state.

In Minas Gerais, the 51 rescued strawberry pickers included adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17, ministry officials said in a statement on its website.

In Rio de Janeiro, the 95 rescued sugarcane harvesters had been denied basic sanitation, water and were carted around in dangerous modes of transport, the ministry said. Officials added both rescue operations took place in August.

According to ministry officials, both sets of workers were toiling under inhumane conditions around the clock without breaks. The workers were exposed to high level of pesticides. Many were minors, the ministry said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/11/brazil.slavery/index.html

[Iowa]

1. A Republican dream come true. The bastards won't rest until we're all in the same boat here.