The invisibility of the black population in modern slavery: evidence based on conditions of social vulnerability

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to identify the associations between the social conditions of vulnerability and the racial profile of modern slavery. It presents findings from qualitative research developed between 2011 and 2016 on the institutional and organizational mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of modern slavery in Brazil, based on the theoretical framework of Crane (2013), Bales (2004) and Datta and Bales (2013; 2014). From a methodological point of view, this study makes use of socioeconomic, geographic, sociocultural and social vulnerability indicators produced mainly by the reports published by members of the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor Institute (Instituto Pacto Nacional pela Erradicação do Trabalho Escravo - InPACTO) and the public sector. The article’s contribution centers on the incorporation of the variable race and color, indicating its relation to modern slavery, in addition to showing how contemporary slave labor coexists with the economically representative productive chains in Brazil, some of which are members of InPACTO.

摘要 本文旨在厘清脆弱性社会境况与现代奴隶制的种族特征之间的关联。本研究依托Crane（2013）、Bales（2004）以及Datta与Bales（2013；2014）的理论框架，呈现了2011至2016年间针对巴西境内维系现代奴隶制存续的制度与组织机制所开展的质性研究（qualitative research）成果。从方法论层面出发，本研究主要采用了由全国废除奴隶劳动契约研究所（National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor Institute - InPACTO）成员及公共部门发布的报告所生成的社会经济、地理、社会文化与社会脆弱性指标。本文的核心贡献在于纳入种族与肤色变量，揭示其与现代奴隶制的关联；同时阐明了当代奴隶劳动如何与巴西具备经济代表性的产业链共存，其中部分产业链为InPACTO的成员单位。