Date of publication: May 28, 2008
Source: Reuters
Author: Eduardo Simoes and Inae Riveras
Amnesty International criticized poor working conditions and forced labor in Brazil's fast-growing sugar cane sector on Wednesday, as the government tries to promote the cane-based ethanol industry as a way to reduce poverty.
The human rights group said Brazil's government has taken steps to improve working conditions in rural areas, but it has confirmed cases of forced labor throughout the country.
"Forced labor and exploitative working conditions were reported in many states, including in the rapidly growing sugar cane sector," Amnesty said in its annual report on the state of the world's human rights. [1]..