Brazilian Prosecutors Sue Volkswagen for Exploiting Workers in ‘Slave-like’ Conditions

Brazilian prosecutors have indicted Volkswagen for alleged human rights violations against former workers in Brazil.

On Thursday, Brazilian labor prosecutors reported that Volkswagen’s local subsidiary had been charged with imposing labor slavery conditions decades ago. The prosecutors are seeking damages of 165 million reais ($27.5 million).

Prosecutors claim that Volkswagen committed human rights abuses in Brazil from 1974 to 1986.

The Brazilian Federal Labor Prosecutor’s Office initiated the investigation in 2019 based on testimonies from farm workers and documents from Ricardo Resende, a priest and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

In a statement, Prosecutor Rafael Rodriguez said that labor prosecutors found that workers on the farms endured long hours, poor working conditions, and wage exploitation, creating a “slave-like” environment. He condemned, “This resulted in severe human rights violations.”

Prosecutors noted that these charges, including the collective damages claim, followed unsuccessful attempts to settle with Volkswagen. They added that the company stopped negotiations in March 2023 and showed no interest in reaching an agreement. A labor judge will now review the allegations and decide whether to proceed with the lawsuit against Volkswagen.

However, Volkswagen responded in a press release, stating that it has not yet officially received notification of the charges.