Carnauba wax, an ingredient perhaps unfamiliar to many, plays a ubiquitous role in various products— from confectioneries to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where it acts as a stabilizer, lubricant, and thickener. Yet, its production is entangled with the plight of workers in Brazil’s impoverished northeastern state of Piauí, who rely on harvesting wax from carnauba palm trees for their livelihoods. However, the industry is dominated by powerful corporations, accused of overlooking exploitation within their operations.
In the barren expanse of Piauí’s Caatinga landscape, a convoy of vehicles traverses the dusty terrain, housing inspectors from Brazil’s labor ministry, federal police, and prosecutors. This operation marks the culmination of covert investigations into labor conditions within the carnauba wax industry.
Leading the charge is Gislene Melo dos Santos Stacholski, a seasoned veteran in combating slave-like labor practices in Brazil. For over a decade, she has been at the forefront of raids, with carnauba plantations commanding much of her attention. Describing the grueling conditions endured by workers under the scorching sun, she highlights the manual and arduous nature of carnauba harvesting.
Piauí stands as the world’s largest producer of carnauba wax, supporting the livelihoods of approximately half a million Brazilians across several states. Despite its economic significance, the industry is plagued by reports of exploitation and abuse. Last year alone, government figures recorded 114 workers rescued from carnauba plantations, reflecting a troubling trend of modern-day slavery in various sectors, reaching its highest levels since 2009.
In the eyes of Brazilian law, slavery encompasses not only forced labor but also debt bondage, hazardous working conditions, and excessive working hours detrimental to workers’ well-being. These conditions, prevalent in rural areas, are intrinsically linked to poverty, as affirmed by the International Labour Organization.
Upon reaching a makeshift accommodation facility, inspectors are met with squalid conditions unfit for habitation. Workers, seeking respite from the midday sun, gather under the shade of a large tree. Interviews reveal that the majority of laborers are unregistered, receiving meager daily wages under the table, barely sufficient for subsistence.
The work itself is hazardous, with laborers using primitive tools to extract leaves from the towering carnauba palms, known locally as the “tree of thorns.” Safety equipment is often lacking, leaving workers vulnerable to injury and exploitation. Despite the risks, few alternatives exist for these workers, many of whom are caught in a cycle of poverty and exploitation.
In confronting the plantation owner, Edmilson da Silva Montes, authorities issue fines for numerous violations, including deplorable living conditions and failure to provide adequate safety measures. However, Edmilson’s defiance underscores the challenges of enforcing labor regulations in an industry rife with informality and exploitation.
As the operation concludes, workers are granted freedom from immediate exploitation, yet the underlying socio-economic realities persist, underscoring the systemic challenges facing Brazil’s carnauba wax industry.
