Brasil: Code Switch

BRAZIL

Code Switch

Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended a controversial change to the definition of slavery issued by President Michel Temer’s government in a concession to the nation’s powerful farm lobby.

Justice Rosa Weber said the decree’s reduction of the scope of what is considered slave labor violated the constitution, Reuters reported. She also argued that the measure could hurt Brazil’s trade relations since other countries could complain that slave labor was a form of unfair competition.

Human rights campaigners said the decree issued by the labor ministry on Monday limited the definition of slavery to restrictions on freedom of movement, disregarding other abuses such as debt bondage, degrading work conditions, and long work hours that pose a risk to a worker’s health.

Opposition critics pointed out Temer’s decree would have derailed enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers from slavery-like conditions since 1995, just as Temer needs farm lobby votes in Congress on Wednesday to block corruption charges against him.