German car manufacturer Volkswagen refused to pay 165 million reais (about 32 million dollars) to victims of slave labor during the dictatorship in Brazilreported this Wednesday the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT).
During the military regime (1964-1985) hundreds of people who worked on the Vale do Río Cristalino cattle ranch in the state of Pará -known as the Volkswagen Ranch- lived in degrading conditions and subjected to violence.
According to the entity, this Wednesday the German giant “withdrew from the negotiating table” and said he had no interest in signing the agreement.
The negotiation included the payment of the equivalent of about 32 million dollars, which would be used as reparation to 14 workers who have already been identified as victims and to create a program of historical survey, identification and search of other workers who were also subjected to the same treatment. on that farm.
“The MPT regrets Volkswagen’s position, which goes against its commitment to the country and to human rights, as it is a very serious violation that occurred over 10 years with its direct participation”the entity said in a statement.
According to MPT investigations, Volkswagen used slave labor between the 1970s and 1980s on the cattle ranch, a period in which “the workers saw their dignity attacked and their freedom curtailed.”
“The company had public resources and tax benefits that helped leverage its livestock activity, making it one of the most important poles in the sector”.
Testimonies known to the entity indicate that the farm workers lived in unsanitary conditions, without drinking water and with poor nutrition; They did not have medical treatment in cases of malaria and were prevented from leaving the farm under armed guard.
In a statement, the German manufacturer indicated that it rejects the allegations presented in the investigation reports and said that “does not agree with the unilateral statements of facts presented by third parties.”
The MPT indicated that “it will adopt all the judicial and extrajudicial measures necessary for the effective repair of the damages generated by the company.”
Source: EFE
Source: Gestion
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