Brazil Senator Is Accused of Keeping 35 Workers in Slave like Conditions

The Brazilian government has charged a senator with keeping 35 workers in slave like conditions on his ranch in the Amazon jungle state of Para, the Supreme Court said Friday on its Web site. In 2004, Labour Ministry inspectors found the employees on Senator João Ribeiro’s ranch working 78 hours a week with no medical assistance, no days off and living in “subhuman” conditions. The inspectors found that the workers racked up debts to the ranch for food and equipment, which were deducted from their wages and left them permanently indebted and unable to leave. Senator Ribeiro said the workers were never prevented from leaving.