Between law and voluntary sustainability standards: a case study of the labor conditions in Brazilian coffee production

The rise of private governance mechanisms has been highlighted as a critical instrument to avoid labor rights flexibilization and defend decent work conditions in agricultural chains. This paper analyzes the impact of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) on labor rights in the coffee production sector of Cerrado Mineiro, a traditional region in Brazil. In 2017, Brazil underwent a comprehensive reform of its labor laws and legal institutions. Based on qualitative research using primary and secondary data, this research investigates whether VSSs were effective in preserving labor rights for rural workers in a more deregulated institutional environment following the 2017 labor reform. Results indicate that VSSs do not guarantee labor rights, and that labor law relaxation may endanger rural coffee workers.

私人治理机制的兴起已被视作规避劳工权利弹性化、维护农业供应链体面劳动条件的关键工具。本文针对巴西传统地区塞拉多米内罗（Cerrado Mineiro）的咖啡生产领域，分析自愿性可持续标准（Voluntary Sustainability Standards，VSSs）对劳工权利的影响。2017年，巴西完成了劳工法律与司法制度的全面改革。本研究依托一手与二手数据开展质性调研，旨在探究在2017年劳工改革后更趋宽松的制度环境中，自愿性可持续标准能否有效保障农村务工人员的劳工权利。研究结果表明，自愿性可持续标准无法切实保障劳工权利，而劳工法律的松绑可能危及乡村咖啡种植从业者的合法权益。