Vale believes that companies have an important role to play in guaranteeing human rights, and so we invest in actions that reflect our commitment to this issue. On September 2nd, Retrato Escravo (“A Portrait of Slavery”) – a book featuring photographs of present-day slavery in Brazil – was launched at the Superior Labor Court (TST) in Brasília.
The book’s photographs depict appalling work conditions, the loneliness of families whose parents travel in pursuit of work and workers being rescued. The book, produced by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Vale Foundation, features photographs by João Roberto Ripper and Sérgio Carvalho. The images are accompanied by texts written by people involved in the field, such as Leonardo Sakamato from the NGO Repórter Brasil, and Laís Abramo, director of the ILO in Brazil.
A portrait of the whole country, from north to south
The photographs were taken in the states of Pará, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Ceará and Rio de Janeiro (Campos). The exhibition will be running at the TST until October 15th. The idea is for the photographs to be displayed in other prominent locations in the capital, such as the Ministry of Work, and across the country. Copies of the book will be distributed to relevant entities, including public authorities from the executive, legislative and judicial powers, students and journalists.