FJA Shortlist 2022

Category: Outstanding Investigative Reporting

Authors: Fabio Teixeira, Emily Costa (Brazil)

Welcome to Brazil? Venezuelan Workers Exploited Under Aid Program

The original publication is available via the following link:

https://www.context.news/money-power-people/long-read/welcome-to-brazil-venezuelan-workers-exploited-under-aid-program?utm_source=news-trust&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=context&utm_content=article

What’s the context?

Operation Welcome's resettlement program in Brazil found exposing Venezuelan migrants to exploitation and slave labor

After crossing the border from crisis-hit Venezuela into Brazil in late 2019, Henrique had one goal: find work to provide for his wife and children and send money to relatives at home.

The 45-year-old secured a job in February 2020 as a truck driver via Operaçao Acolhida (Operation Welcome), the government program that provides humanitarian aid to Venezuelans who have fled turmoil and helps them to resettle in Brazil and find work.