§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Brazilian counterpart concerning the issue of bonded labour. [151182]
§ Mr. BattleBonded labour is a serious problem in some parts of Brazil, particularly remote rural areas where there are many poor and unemployed people who are easily exploited by unscrupulous employers.
The British Embassy in Brasilia monitors closely the human rights situation in Brazil and is in regular contact with the Brazilian authorities on all aspects of human rights, including bonded labour. Officials last raised our concerns about bonded labour in Brazil at the human rights talks held between the FCO and the Brazilian Government in December 2000.