“Brazilian union sues JBS over alleged exploitation of chicken workers”, 14 July 2023

…A Brazilian labor union has accused JBS SA of submitting dozens of workers to “degrading conditions,” according to a class action suit filed against the world’s biggest meatpacker and its suppliers this week.

The union filed the claim on behalf of at least 76 people, including members of the Terena Indigenous community, who were employed as third-party chicken catchers for JBS and worked in conditions “analogous to slavery,” the suit alleges…

In a statement, the company said it had not yet been notified of the suit and would investigate the allegations.

The suit claims workers did not get enough rest time, were not fully paid upon dismissal and did not get extra pay for performing hazardous work.

JBS says it maintains “strict protocols and controls in its operations to ensure that all its suppliers comply with their legal obligations and the well-being of employees.” These obligations include providing adequate protective gear, safe working conditions and reliable means of transportation. It also says it regularly conducts technical visits to supervise the work of catchers and to verify that everything is in order with suppliers…

The union is seeking 400,000 reais ($82,000) in damages per worker and is pushing for prosecutors to formally join the suit as plaintiffs, documents show…