Brazil pioneering fight against child labor, forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking

Brazil has just been recognized as a Pioneer Country by Alliance 8.7, a global initiative dedicated to eradicating child labor, forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking. The recognition underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Brazil’s participation in the Alliance involves five ministries: Labor and Employment (Trabalho e Emprego /MTE), Social Development (Desenvolvimento Social/MDS), Human Rights and Citizenship (Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania/MDHC), Justice (Justiça/MJ), and Health (Saúde/MS).

Established in 2017, Alliance 8.7 brings together governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to promote coordinated and innovative actions in support of decent work. Being a Pioneer Country means leading this effort through the development of effective public policies, integration across different levels of government, and the strengthening of social dialogue.

To achieve this status, Brazil developed a Strategic Roadmap outlining priority actions built through a participatory process involving representatives from the government, workers, employers, and civil society. The main measures include:

• Reinforcement of labor inspection, with the expansion of the Special Mobile Inspection Groups (Grupos Especiais de Fiscalização Móvel /GEFM);
• Expansion of social protection policies, such as income transfer and support for victims;
• Strengthening of the Federal Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor and the National Protection Network;
• Development of the 4th National Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor and the 3rd National Plan for the Eradication of Slave Labor;
• Implementation of the 4th National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking;
• Promotion of national awareness campaigns and improvement of reporting and accountability mechanisms;
• Continuous monitoring of progress, with periodic reports submitted to Alliance 8.7.

Brazil’s recognition as a Pioneer Country represents not only a significant step forward in protecting human rights and promoting decent work but also a responsibility assumed before the international community. The Federal Government will continue to act in an integrated manner with various sectors of society and global partners to ensure that no one is left behind.

More information is available here.