Um Pouco De Reflexão Sobre Os Casos De Escravização Recém Descobertos No Interior Do Rs

Ladies and gentlemen, I've been inundated with requests to shed light on the issue of perceived or discovered slavery, as reported by the Agents of the Ministry of Labor in the Serra Gaúcha and Uruguaiana regions of Brazil. Shockingly, after the revelations in Bento, a local councillor in Caxias publicly downplayed the matter and even encouraged its repetition. The audacity! Their stance suggested that there was nothing wrong with people being kept in degrading conditions, subjected to electric shocks, pepper spray attacks, and physical punishment, as the Bento workers had reported. But what led us, in the year 2023, to a point where such stories persist, despite a constitution that upholds human dignity and the social value of labor?

Unearthing a Deep-Rooted Mindset

Let's start by unraveling the deep-seated mindset that underlies these incidents. Our nation's history is marred by invasions, persecution, and the enslavement of indigenous peoples, followed by the enslavement of Africans brought to our shores. This grim reality persisted for more than 350 years until the Emancipation Act, or the Lei Áurea, was enacted. However, this law represented the state's compliance with the movement for abolition, largely driven by the relentless resistance of the Black population.

Yet, the Lei Áurea lacked social inclusion policies for the newly emancipated, maintaining and even reinforcing racism as a fundamental societal element. In 1888, the same year as the Lei Áurea, the penal code of 1890 introduced the crime of vagrancy, designed to detain and punish Black people who were unemployed. This perpetuated the exploitative labor practices, a cultural issue that couldn't be resolved by decree but was deeply rooted in our history.

Disregard for Labor Rights

Despite labor rights established in the 1940s and reinforced by the 1988 Constitution, labor rights are often disregarded in practice. For example, the maximum eight-hour workday can be extended to twelve hours with an individual agreement, even without a break for meals or rest. This mindset is the same that denies the right to an employment relationship, which is constitutionally protected, and thereby opposes outsourcing.

The disregard for these rights illustrates a culture of exploitation, treating those who depend on work as second-class citizens. These people are often expected to be grateful for any job, no matter the conditions.

The Perfect Storm: Economic Crisis and Legal Changes

Fast forward to the beginning of 2023, and we find ourselves in a perfect storm. An economic crisis leaves many with no choice but to accept slave-like conditions to survive, as the state abandons its role in promoting the common good. Legal changes such as the 2019 pension reform and labor reform further pave the way for the deepening of these enslavement situations. This situation is further exacerbated by a political discourse that, although defeated in the 2022 elections, still garnered the support of nearly half the population.

This dire context explains why such enslavement cases continue to happen and even gain public endorsement, as seen in the responses of the Caxias councillor and the Uruguaiana Rice Farmers Association.

Beyond Legal Measures: A Cultural Shift

So, what's the solution? Legal measures are crucial, but they're just part of the equation. We must address the deeper cultural issues. It's vital to start these conversations in our schools and universities, encouraging a deeper understanding of the pervasive nature of this issue and the need to change the culture and education systems that perpetuate it.

We must recognize that violating labor rights is not just a legal breach but a direct attack on our constitutional order. As long as we fail to take social and labor rights seriously, we will struggle to overcome this deep-seated enslavement mindset that has plagued our nation since 1500.

In conclusion, the events in Bento and Uruguaiana are not isolated cases, but rather symptoms of a deeply ingrained issue that requires a multifaceted approach to overcome. It's time to confront the racial and economic disparities that persist in Brazil, and to ensure that every citizen is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. It's a challenging journey, but one that's long overdue.