Two elderly women rescued after decades in conditions similar to domestic slavery in Belo Horizonte

Place where the elderly women lived in Belo Horizonte — Photo: TV Globo

Two women, one aged 90 and the other aged 65, were rescued by auditors from the Regional Labor Superintendence after living for decades in conditions similar to domestic slavery with a family in Belo Horizonte.

According to the superintendence, one of the victims remained tied to the house for 75 years and the other for 60 years, carrying out tasks such as cleaning, shopping and preparing meals without access to labor rights and with restrictions on social coexistence, education and the construction of an autonomous life.

According to Carlos Calazans, Regional Labor Superintendent, the elderly women were taken to a hospital and will receive assistance.

"In partnership with the city hall, we are arranging a shelter to accommodate them, with social assistance professionals, professionals who care for the elderly, social workers and psychologists. This is so that they can get on with their lives, because it is such a strong thing to take them out of their homes, to lose that bond, as they have no family or friends", added the superintendent.

Employers alleged family ties

The inspection was carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Employment in conjunction with the Public Ministry of Labor and the Federal Police. For the bodies, the employers claimed that there was a "family relationship with the women", but the inspectors concluded that there were no elements that characterized family belonging under equal conditions.

According to the inspection, during their lives, none of them had the same attacks in relation to the other people in the group. Furthermore, no patrimonial and inheritance rights were identified that could characterize true family belonging.

The two victims were sent to reception and began to be monitored by the protection network.