Bitter brew - Modern slavery in the coffee industry 1

In 2017, the government narrowed the definition of slave-like work and subjected the ‘Dirty List’ to political decision-making, until the Supreme Court overruled the policy in 2020.4 From 2019-2022, under the Bolsonaro government, the Ministry of Labour was dis- solved and resources for labour inspections were significantly reduced. [...] Bitter brew 3 Persistent modern slavery in the supply chains of coffee multinationals In the past decade, Brazilian human rights organisations Conectas and the Association of Rural Employees of the State of Minas Gerais (ADERE-MG) have documented doz- ens of cases of modern slavery on coffee plantations.5 In 2023, ADERE-MG met with dozens of workers rescued from coffee farms in Minas Gerais. [...] In the past, the farm had commercial links to Ally Coffee, which belongs to the Montesanto Tavares Group, one of the largest agricultural companies in Brazil and a supplier of Nestlé.22 In its response to SOMO, Montesanto Tavares Group stated that its last coffee purchase took place in 2019.23 According to Rainforest Alliance list of certificate holders the farm received a renewal of its certifica. [...] Legislation can hold multinational corporations accountable and bring remedy to victims The persistence of modern slavery in the supply chains of coffee multinationals and the failure of major multinational coffee retailers to take meaningful steps to address the issue confirm once again the failure of voluntary due diligence and need for legis- lation to ban forced labour from supply chains. [...] The failure of multinational coffee corporations to effectively address persistent mod- ern slavery, and the failure of OECD governments and NCPs to provide effective access to remedy for the victims of modern slavery, underscores the need for legislation addressing forced labour in corporate supply chains and mandating due diligence in alignment with the OECD Guidelines.