The United Nations (UN) Global Compact in Brazil and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) have partnered to engage the private sector to reduce the incidence of forced labor violations in the cattle ranching sector in the state of Pará for PADF’s Fair Work Program. The main objectives of the partnership are identification of best practices and training representatives of the beef industry to improve labor conditions based on the current panorama of the supply chain in the state.
The initiative expects to engage 23 organizations and companies in Pará and 90 industry leaders, in fair and decent work practices, ensuring that workers are treated with respect, have personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a dignified life. “This partnership is key to the Fair Work Program. Raising awareness and involving rural producers and other companies in the meat industry is a fundamental strategy to promote decent work in the livestock supply chain” stated Irina Bacci, Technical Director of the Fair Work Program.
The initiative will involve the participation of the private sector operating in Pará, especially in Marabá, Ulianópolis, Itupiranga, São Félix do Xingu, Redenção, and Dom Eliseu (Pará), municipalities where there is a high incidence of forced labor, and where PADF is executing project activities. One of UN Global Compact’s first field activities is mapping local actors and organizing engagement forums with rural producers in these municipalities.
The activities compliment the Movimento Impacto Amazônia, which UN Global Compact developed to implement initiatives and projects to ensure that companies’ operations and value chains do not contribute to deforestation and promote forest preservation efforts by 2030.
The Fair Work Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, aims to reduce the incidence of forced labor violations in Pará. UN Global Compact is an initiative within the United Nations that calls on companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with universal principles of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption, through responsible corporate practices.
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity for all people. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region more robust, healthier, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For more than 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities by investing resources throughout the hemisphere. To benefit the region, we work in partnership with civil society, governments, and the private sector.
Camila Payan
Thematic Senior Director – Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights
Email: connect@padf.org
