Traficados para trabalhar na Europa: Como evitar e combater de forma mais efetiva esse destino de muitos brasileiros no âmbito da União Europeia.

This paper examines the phenomenon of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation involving Brazilian who migrate to Europe, with particular emphasis on the legal and social challenges involved. It begins by providing a historical contextualisation of slavery and its contemporary forms, highlighting how factors such as poverty, social inequality, structural racism, gender inequality and other situations of vulnerability contribute to the recruitment and the exploitation of victims. The study defines and analyses the different forms of human trafficking and examines the main international legal instruments applicable to the subject, with particular emphasis on the Palermo Protocol, as well as the relevant Brazilian and European legislation. It also analyses the mechanisms used by criminal networks to recruit, transport and control victims, including fraudulent job offers, debt bondage, document retention and various forms of physical and psychological coercion. The paper further addresses the economic sectors and European countries where the exploitation of Brazilian workers is most prevalent, as well as the institutional mechanisms for prevention, repression and victim assistance existing in Brazil and the European Union. Finally, it presents proposals aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of public policies and anti- trafficking measures, with a focus on education, the training and capacity building of public officials, international cooperation, and the establishment of transnational mechanisms for monitoring and ensuring the accountability of digital platform companies. It is concluded that the effective fight against human trafficking requires an integrated approach based on the prevention of social vulnerabilities, the protection of victims, the accountability of offenders and the strengthening of international cooperation, in order to ensure the effective protection of human dignity and the fundamental rights of workers.