News-Letter  Nr. 400

XAKRIABÁ ARE RESCUED FROM SLAVE LABOR SITUATION

Farmer Antonio de Almeida Neto was caught red-handed by the Ministry of Labor with a group of 22 Xakriabá that he kept as slaves in three of his farms in the municipality of Cabeceiras de Goiás (state of Goiás), 100 km from Brasília. The flagrante delicto was booked on February 22, but defying the warning from the inspecting committee of the government, the farmer continued to exploit the indigenous labor after the incident. Late last week, Funai rescued the indigenous workers, who were starving, sick and living in inhumane conditions, sleeping on the floor in unhygienic shelters. The incident was reported this week by the newspaper O Globo. The farmer was caught in the act and forced to pay all that the indigenous workers were entitled to received under the labor law. However, he was not arrested and has not been prosecuted so far.

According to the Xakriabá, the farmer had agreed to pay them R$ 7 (about US$ 3) for each 50 x 25-meter area of bean crops that they were hired to harvest, but they worked for two months without being paid in any way. An employee of the farm told them that they would only be paid after the end of the harvest (which is illegal according to the labor law) and that all expenses with food would be deducted from their pay. The Xakriabá were taken back to their village, where they will undergo medical treatment. The Office of the Attorney General has received a report of the case and will take measures to punish the farmer.

The indigenous community is being severely affected by the lack of economic prospects for their subsistence. Because of the drought, many Xakriabá men, particularly young men, are leaving their village in São João das Missäes, state of Minas Gerais, and heading for the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Goiás and other parts of Minas Gerais looking for jobs in farms and sugarcane plantations. They are being hired for seasonal jobs inside and outside their villages with Funai's knowledge. For many years, Cimi has been reporting that Funai has no control over the exit of the Xakriabá from their village. However, instead of considering alternatives to keep the indigenous community there, the official Indianist agency has been just trying to deny the arguments presented by Cimi. Without Funai's support, initiatives are under way in the village to promote irrigated agriculture activities that could interrupt the exodus of the Xakriabá in search of jobs. The exploitation of their labor in slavery-like conditions is just a consequence of a mistaken official policy for indigenous peoples.

PATAXÓ WANT INVADER TO BE REMOVED

The Pataxó living in the Coroa Vermelha indigenous area in Santa Cruz de Cabralia (state of Bahia) have decided to expel the last invader of their area. About 400 people have settled in an area of about 72 hectares known as area A, occupied by real estate agent José Ribeiro Martins, owner of the Santa Cruz company. Although he did not make any major improvements in the area, he refused to receive about R$ 100 thousand in compensations to leave it and has filed a suit to receive a higher compensation. Coroa Vermelha was legalized in 1999 as a 1,472-hectare area. The area was legalized in record time because of a project to implement the Open Discovery Museum in it, which will be the landmark of the official "festivities" of the 500th anniversary of Brazil's "discovery."

The climate is tense. Although he has been removing some personal belongings, José Ribeiro Martins is intent on remaining in the area, and his attitude may lead to a serious conflict. Pressured by the Federal Police, the Pataxó accepted a 12-day deadline for the businessman to leave the area and warned that they will remain where they are. They complain that Funai did very little to avoid this situation and reported that in addition to invading the area, José Ribeiro Martins prevented a bridge from being built in it. According to some reports, the businessman has plans to make huge profits by dividing the indigenous area into lots and selling them. The Pataxó have been dancing the "tore" in front of a warehouse built by the invader to pressure him to leave.

In Coroa Vermelha, the slow pace at which promised houses are being built has irritated the Pataxó, who are disillusioned with the federal administration. They complain that they were removed from where their village was located to a more remote area in the indigenous land with the promise that 150 masonry houses would be built for them. Until February, only 10 had been built and 31 others will only be finished by April. Meanwhile, a Handicraft Center for tourists who will be attending the official festivities of the "discovery," which is expected to generate high profits and will be used for promotional purposes, is being built at a much faster pace.

Brasília, 2 March 2000.
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi





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