Carnauba wax, an essential yet unfamiliar product to many, is quietly present in various everyday items such as candies, medications, and cosmetics. However, its production in Brazil’s impoverished northeastern state of Piauí often involves exploitation of the labor force, with significant power imbalances favoring large corporations while authorities turn a blind eye.
In the vast and dry expanse of Piauí’s Caatinga, a convoy of seven cars traverses the terrain. Inside these vehicles are inspectors from the labor ministry, federal police, and prosecutors, embarking on the climax of covert investigations into the harsh working conditions within the carnauba wax industry.
Leading the charge is Gislene Melo dos Santos Stacholski, a seasoned veteran of raids aimed at liberating workers from conditions akin to modern-day slavery in Brazil. With over a decade of experience, much of her efforts are directed towards the carnauba plantations, where the grueling task of wax harvesting takes its toll.
“Carnauba harvesting is a grueling endeavor, especially under the scorching sun of the northeast,” Gislene explains. “It’s labor-intensive and physically demanding, relying heavily on manual tools.”
Spread across Piauí and neighboring states, carnauba palm trees are the primary source of this wax, sustaining the livelihoods of roughly half a million Brazilians. However, the industry’s shadow side is increasingly apparent, with government statistics revealing a concerning trend: a record-high of 114 workers rescued from carnauba plantations last year alone, signaling a surge in cases resembling modern slavery, reaching levels not seen since 2009.
Under Brazil’s penal code, slavery encompasses not only forced labor but also debt bondage, deplorable working conditions, and prolonged hours jeopardizing workers’ well-being. Such conditions, according to the International Labour Organization, are endemic in rural Brazil, deeply intertwined with poverty.
After a three-hour journey, the convoy arrives at a housing block, its dilapidated interiors and squalid surroundings painting a grim picture. Outside, workers seek refuge from the oppressive midday heat beneath the shade of a large tree, illustrating the harsh realities faced by those toiling in the carnauba wax industry.