Domestic slavery: The complexity and challenges of post-rescue of domestic workers

Abstract

This paper is aimed at encouraging the discussion about the need to implement public assistance policies for domestic workers rescued from slave labor. Aiming to promote the understanding of the phenomenon of contemporary domestic slavery, the concept of labor analogous to slavery contained in art. 149 of the Penal Code was used and the ways in which this work takes place in the domestic environment were presented. The dynamics of the inspection operation was described, in general, seeking to point out the failures of the State in the post-rescue policy. As a theoretical and methodological reference, the hypothetical-deductive method of approach was used with a case study procedure, based on the analysis of interviews, testimonials and reports provided by the actors involved in the cases. In addition, the research was notably theoretical-normative – using the norms that discipline the themes of slave labor and the dignity of the human person in Brazil – and bibliographical – reviewing the existing literature, although still incipient. The scope of the work is to expose the real difficulties faced by public authorities in the post-rescue of domestic workers subjected to labor conditions analogous to slavery. As results, viable solutions to the problems raised are pointed out, concluding that the Brazilian State really needs to implement effective public policies for the post-rescue of domestic workers.