Efetividade e eficácia das normas jurídicas e das políticas públicas no combate do trabalho escravo contemporâneo no Brasil

Abstract

Contemporary slave labor is a serious violation of human rights and challenges the effectiveness of legal norms and public policies in Brazil. This study performs a critical analysis, qualitative and descriptive, based on a systematic review of the literature published between 2020 and 2025, selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, using databases such as SciELO, CAPES Journals and DOAJ. The objective was to discuss the factors that impact the effectiveness and effectiveness of state and private actions in confronting contemporary slave labor. The research identified obstacles such as the absence of regulation of EC No. 81/2014, interpretative disputes over article 149 of the Penal Code, institutional fragility and judicial selectivity, in addition to the symbolic appropriation of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) discourse by companies involved in violating practices. The results demonstrate that, although there are normative advances and relevant actions such as Rescue Operations, accountability is still marked by omissions, regional inequalities and greenwashing strategies. It is concluded that the overcoming of slave labor depends less on the production of legislation and more on the strengthening of institutions, the articulation between public agencies and the mobilization of civil society around the protection of human dignity.