Brazil Senate Passes Bill to Protect Workers Rescued from Forced Labour

On Tuesday, 9 May, Brazil's Senate approved PL 5760/2023, a legislative proposal aimed at protecting workers rescued from conditions akin to slavery. The bill establishes obligations for employers and introduces social‑protection measures for the rescued workers, such as inclusion in unemployment insurance with entitlement to up to six benefit installments, enrollment in the Social Security system and emergency shelter under the revised Maria da Penha law.

It also creates mechanisms for rapid protective orders for domestic workers, data cross‑checking through the National Register of Social Information to flag suspicious employers, and authorises labour auditors to inspect homes with employer or employee consent when exploitation is suspected. The measure now awaits sanction by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.