Brazil- 586 Workers Rescued from Ethanol Plant in Mato Grosso: Media Report

October 10, 2025

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(ChiniMandi) Labor officials from Brazil’s Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) have rescued 586 workers from slave-like conditions at a construction site for an ethanol plant in Porto Alegre do Norte, Mato Grosso. The operation, conducted by the Mobile Inspection Task Force (GEFM) and the Regional Labor Superintendence (SRTE/MT), took place between July 20 and October 7, with support from the Federal Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) and the Federal Police, reports BdF.

According to the news report, the investigation began after a fire broke out in July 2025 in the makeshift dormitories where workers were housed. Inspectors found overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, irregular access to water and electricity, and the use of untreated river water. During the fire, Military Police reportedly used rubber bullets and detained some workers for several days. Seventeen workers were later dismissed “for cause,” though investigators found no evidence linking them to the fire.

According to labor auditor Flora Pereira, who led the operation, the case was marked by extreme informality and serious violations of labor rights. “Workers were living in degrading conditions, sleeping on the floor without beds or bedding,” she said, adding that the inspection revealed a complete lack of official documentation and procedures.

The workers, employed by TAO Construtora to build an ethanol plant for agribusiness firm 3tentos, were initially reported as 563 in early August, but the number rose to 586 as inspectors found 23 additional victims. Officials uncovered an off-the-books system used to hide unpaid overtime, with more than 177,000 hours unrecorded. In total, the company failed to pay about R$ 3.9 million (US$ 720,000) in benefits.

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Since its creation in 1995, Brazil’s Mobile Inspection Task Force has freed more than 68,000 people from slave-like working conditions. READ MORE

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Approved in October 2024, Brazil’s biofuels bill highlights the true cost of its clean energy drive. The rapid expansion of ethanol, biodiesel, and so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is reshaping rural Brazil, threatening key ecosystems, and widening inequality.

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The investigation found that even soy from illegally cleared land still finds its way into biodiesel supply chains through a practice known as “soy laundering”.

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Beef tallow: the cost of ‘green’ diesel

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In the state of Pará, where COP30 will take place, the expansion of palm oil has brought violence and violations.

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Suppliers would face mandatory screening for ties to deforestation, forced labour, or illegal land repossession with public disclosure of results.

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