Eight Brazilian workers have filed a civil lawsuit in the United States against Starbucks, accusing the global coffee giant of profiting from coffee harvested under “slavery-like” conditions. The workers, supported by the International Rights Advocates (IRA), allege they were subjected to forced labour, hazardous child labour, and human trafficking on coffee farms supplying Starbucks.
The lead plaintiff, a minor referred to as “John,” was just 16 when he was recruited to work on a farm in Minas Gerais. There, he laboured up to 12 hours a day under the sun with no protective gear, poor living conditions, and without pay—until he and others were rescued by Brazilian authorities in a 2024 raid.
The lawsuit, filed alongside a complaint to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seeks to ban coffee imports linked to forced labour in Brazil. It targets not only Starbucks but also other industry giants like Nestlé, Dunkin’, and McDonald’s.
Brazil’s coffee sector has long been plagued by exploitative labour practices. It leads the nation in rescues from modern slavery, a category that includes debt bondage, degrading conditions, and unpaid work. Afro-Brazilians, who make up 66% of those rescued, are disproportionately affected due to systemic inequality and historical exploitation.
“All of the plaintiffs live in quilombos—communities founded by descendants of escaped enslaved people. Their vulnerability is exploited in the name of cheap coffee,” said Jorge Ferreira dos Santos Filho, a labour rights advocate and survivor of forced labour.
IRA executive director Terrence Collingsworth condemned the practice: “Charging $6 for coffee harvested by child and forced labour is not just exploitative—it’s morally repugnant.”
In response, Starbucks cited its ethical sourcing program, C.A.F.E. Practices, which it claims sets rigorous standards for social and environmental responsibility. Critics argue, however, that these measures fail to prevent sourcing from exploitative farms that remain in business even after penalties and public exposure.
Advocates stress that consumer awareness and accountability are essential: “Every unexamined cup of coffee may be fueling a system of modern slavery,” said Santos Filho.