Brazil’s Federal Police along with the Ministry of Labor rescued more than 200 people who were living and working in slave-like conditions in Bento Gonçalves, a city in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) indicated that it reached an out-of-court agreement with the wineries, establishing obligations and reparations.

The amount of the fine will be divided among workers and entities, funds or projects used to repair the damage.

The deadline for the payment of individual damages is 15 days, as from the presentation of the list of those rescued.

A 45-year-old owner of a company responsible for hiring personnel to collect pulp and slaughter chickens has been arrested.

The man has contracts with several wineries in the region and the Ministry of Labor and Employment analyzed the labor rights of each worker individually to seek due compensation.

The inspection found unhealthy housing conditions, such as poor maintenance, hygiene and cleanliness of premises.

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