Winery workers report violence and poor working conditions

Grape harvest workers who were rescued in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, on February 22, reported to the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT-RS) that they had suffered various acts of violence, such as beatings with broomsticks, electric shocks, pepper spray attacks, bites and poor working and housing conditions. The situation of the workers was considered by the agency as analogous to slavery. In total, the action carried out by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) removed 208 workers who worked in the vineyards and provided services to local wineries and cooperatives.

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In a hearing this Wednesday (1st), the MPT gave ten days for the Gaucho wineries Aurora, Garibaldi and Salton to present documents with information about the partnership signed with Fênix Prestação de Serviços and Oliveira & Santana, companies responsible for hiring of the workers. The wineries claim that they were unaware of the poor conditions in which the workers lived.

On inspection of the workers’ accommodation, objects such as an electric shock machine and pepper spray tubes were found. According to MPT-RS attorney Franciele D’Ambros, told UOL, the first workers fled the scene in search of help after being attacked, which triggered the action of the PRF.

Workers report that they were held in a guesthouse where they were guarded by armed security guards. The working day exceeded 14 hours a day, the food delivered was of poor quality or spoiled and there was a lack of safety equipment at work. The job offers, according to the reports, promised BRL 4,000 a month, but, in practice, the workers would receive much less for alleged debts assumed with the employer to buy food.

What the wineries say

In a note, the Cooperativa Vinícola Garibaldi stated that “with surprise and indignation” it received allegations of practices analogous to slavery. The company said that the outsourced company was hired to meet a specific and timely demand and that, after the complaints, the cooperative terminated the contract with the service provider.

“It is important to point out that, in these less than 30 days of contract providing service at the Cooperative, the treatment was equal to direct employees, complying with all the norms of coexistence valued by Garibaldi, among which schedules, training, security, meals, etc. , in addition to answering all pertinent legal questions”, in a note.

The winery made itself available to the authorities for the necessary investigations and repudiated any “practice that violates respect for human beings or compromises their integrity”, as well as offering solidarity to the victims.

In a note, Vinícola Aurora informed that the workers were hired by the outsourced company Oliveira & Santana and that it is currently taking the appropriate measures. The Winery reported that, as for the outsourced company, Aurora paid an amount above R$ 6.5 thousand/month per worker, with the addition of any overtime worked.

“The outsourced company was responsible for paying and for the due tax discounts established by law. Aurora also demanded the work contracts of the team that was allocated in the company”, she said. It also showed that employees received “quality food during the work shift, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner, without distinction”.

He also claimed that it offered “decent working conditions during office hours” and that the responsible managers were unaware of the “inhumane housing in which the seasonal workers were accommodated by Oliveira & Santana after the work period”.

The Salton family, in a statement, regretted what happened and acknowledged that the housing conditions offered by the outsourced company were not investigated. The company said it will work to curb new events and made itself available to assist in the process.

The report was unable to contact the service providers.