Social movements, modern slavery and health: Knowledge, practices and implications to Brazilian national health system (SUS)

Abstract

The present article aims to grasp the point of view of social movements engaged in contemporary slavery eradication in terms of worker´s health impacts and its implications to Brazilian National Health System (SUS). It is a qualitative research using structured interviews with social movements in a Brazilian state of high prevalence of slavery. The outcomes show that these social movements comprehend slavery as physical and mental disintegration of human being, due to the violation upon workers integrity. Furthermore, they have highlighted the potentialities of SUS related to slavery in identifying new cases, recovery victims, knowledge production, working conditions surveillance, articulated with social movements and other institutions. The conclusion points out the need of inserting modern slavery in Brazilian public health agenda in order to warrant health´s rights.