[Diagnosis and perspectives of the centre of workers health in combating slave labor].

Abstract

The Centre of Worker's Health (CEREST) in Brazil has a crucial role in the comprehensive care to the worker's Health, however, little is known about the effective contribution of them in combating contemporary slave labor (CSL). This study analysed the practices and perspectives of these centers in combating CSL. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2021 through online survey applied to all the CEREST active in that year. The questionnaire addressed the identification of CEREST, its needs and attention and surveillance actions against CSL in 2019. The results showed that 20% of them have developed practices to combat CSL and, in general, have limited experience in this field, although 73.7% have carried out surveillance in work processes and environments. Intersectoral actions and training were highlighted as facilitators to the CEREST, and the lack of training and knowledge as the main difficulties. The need for health education and partnerships with civil society was emphasized to improve the performance of CEREST. We concluded that the action of combating CSL requires overcoming historical obstacles, an interdisciplinary approach, intersectoral articulations and expansion of social control.