Manaus entrepreneurs convicted of slavery-like labor exploitation

A mother and son, both entrepreneurs in Manaus, have been convicted by the Labor Court for maintaining a domestic worker in conditions analogous to slavery for over 30 years. The victim was brought from the interior of Amazonas to Manaus at the age of five under the false promise of better opportunities from a godmother who became her employer.

According to the court proceedings, the worker was subjected to exhaustive workdays, degrading living conditions, restricted movement, and emotional abuse. She was also denied formal employment ties and economic resources. The victim, who was forced to perform domestic tasks from childhood, was prevented from pursuing further education after completing high school at age 16.

Judge Dhiancarlos Picinin of the 5th Labor Court of Manaus ordered the defendants to pay R$ 300,000. This amount includes R$ 50,000 for moral damages and various labor entitlements such as severance, salary differences, 13th-month salary, vacation pay, unpaid FGTS deposits, and overtime.