Workers in Brazil manufacture most of the orange juice consumed in Europe in conditions of exploitation and abuse, said the members of non-governmental organizations to MEPs yesterday.
Among those present at the delegation was Marcio Bortolucci, an attorney representing more than 500 affected Brazilian plantation workers, as well as Cicera Couto, who was presented as one of the victims and who had suffered damage to his spine.
Companies like Cutrale, Citrosuco, Citrovita and Louis Dreyfus , which control 85% of the world's production of orange juice, combine prices and favour labour exploitation that violates the European standards, said the NGO representatives.
The aim of the organizations in their visit to Brussels is to raise awareness among European consumers about the conditions that workers are subjected to in the production of the juices.