MSC Magnifica ship is accused of keeping 13 Brazilians in slave labor on board

MSC Crociere SA was ordered to pay compensation for keeping 13 Brazilians in slave labor on its ship MSC Magnifica in the 2013/2014 season

Seven people received a criminal action from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) for keeping 13 Brazilians in slave labor during the 2013/2014 season aboard the cruise ship MSC Magnifica. The progress of the process can generate great losses for MSC.

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The situation of Brazilians on the MSC ship

The 13 Brazilians were hired through Brazilian companies that pooled labor for MSC Crociere SA and received slave labor conditions, working from 11 am to 16 pm daily, without any 24-hour rest during the week, with periods of breaks, which were divided throughout the working day and frequently interrupted by parallel work activities, the readiness system, work meetings and also safety training.

Ship workers who suffered from slave labor were also not entitled to vacation, FGTS, thirteenth salary and other worker rights provided for in the Constitution.

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Find out what were the positions held by Brazilians on the ship

The workers on the MSC ship were waiters, waiters, bartenders, waiters' assistants, buffet lines and assistant waiter. In addition to slave labor, Brazilians also claim that they suffered various types of psychological pressure from the heads and officers of the MSC Ship, who were denounced by the MPF.

The rescued also claim that they received moral harassment from their superiors, for not accepting slave labor and even mention the use of prejudiced expressions and threats that their situation would worsen when the MSC Ship left the reach of the Brazilian authorities.

Slave Labor Investigations on the MSC Ship

The investigations indicate that, before signing the contact, the enslaved workers paid an amount to the company in relation to airline tickets to work at the jobs, training courses and medical examinations.

These indebtedness left the enslaved susceptible to pressure and slave labor by the officers, with threats of dismissal, without even receiving enough to cover the costs incurred to join the MSC staff.

In March and April 2014, the investigation began an inspection of the ship, when it docked at the ports of Santos, in São Paulo, and in Salvador, based on complaints from employees.

The team included members of the MPF, Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), National Health Surveillance Agency, Brazilian Navy, Human Rights Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Attorney General of the Union, the Federal Police and the Federal Public Defender's Office.

In total, 175 workers confirmed the status of slave labor to the task force members. The 37th Labor Court of Salvador sentenced MSC Crociere SA to pay compensation in the amount of R$ 330 for collective pain and suffering.