Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj)Brazil Agency
Published 04/18/2024 22:15
Rio- The Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) approved, in a single discussion, the Bill that establishes measures to intensify the fight against work analogous to slavery in the state of Rio. The measure goes to Governor Cláudio Castro, which has up to 15 working days to sanction or veto.
The text changes the law that prohibits the formalization of contracts and agreements between the State and companies involved in work similar to slavery. The project expands the prohibition, including the concession of public services, tax incentives and tax benefits of any nature. Furthermore, it expands punishments for the companies involved, in addition to the partners, and creates a commission to eradicate slave labor.
In plenary, Carlos Minc (PSB), one of the deputies responsible for the PL, explained that the measure was proposed by parliamentarians after the disclosure, in 2023, of cases of work similar to slavery in wineries in the south of the country. “We want to prohibit those convicted of practices similar to slavery from contracting with the public administration, from receiving inventions. It’s another way of fencing. We cannot legislate on the criminal side, but we can legislate on the administrative issue,” he said.
The other deputies responsible are Rosenverg Reis (MDB), Prof. Josemar (PSol) and Vinícius Cozzolino (União).
Punishments
The punishments foreseen in the project are the revocation of state licenses, registration in the ICMS taxpayer register, the closure of the establishment and the application of fines of around R$ 43 thousand to R$ 86 thousand (10 thousand to 20 thousand UFIR- RJ). These punishments can only be applied after conviction in a final and unappealable decision. Existing contracts and benefits must be discontinued after the decision. The punishments extend to establishments that knowingly sell products made from slavery-like labor.
Before sentencing, the project provides for a 180-day suspension of state licenses to operate the site, counting from the infraction notice issued by the inspector who identified the occurrence.
Taxpayers who have their registration canceled will only be granted new registration upon proof that the causes have ceased. Partners of penalized companies will not be able to carry out the same field of activity, even in another establishment, or submit a request for registration of a new company in the same industry. These restrictions will be valid for 10 years, counting from the date of revocation.
The partners must also compensate the workers in accordance with the legislation. “We place a series of restrictions on people convicted of practicing work similar to slavery, as it is one of the most vile and cruel things in the world: treating a person as an object. This is something that doesn’t make sense in the 21st century; in fact, it never made sense, but now it is unthinkable”, declared Minc in plenary.
Expropriation of properties
Rural and urban properties where the crime is found will be expropriated and used for agrarian reform and popular housing programs, without any compensation to the owner.
Any and all assets of economic value seized as a result of the exploitation of slave labor will be confiscated and applied to the State Fund to Combat Poverty.
Commission for the Eradication of Slave Labor
Another point included in the project is the creation of the Commission for the Eradication of State Slave Labor (COETRAE/RJ) which will be linked to the department responsible for dealing with human rights.
The commission must prepare the State Plan for the Eradication of Slave Labor, monitor and evaluate technical cooperation projects signed between the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Union, municipalities and non-governmental entities, propose the development of research and encourage related campaigns to the topic.
