113. The workers, mostly poor “afro-descendent or mulatto” men,73 aged between 15 and 40,74 are recruited by the “gatos”75 in their states of origin to work in distant states, with the promise of attractive salaries.76 When they arrive at the haciendas, the workers are told that they are in debt to those who hired them for their transport, food and accommodation. The promised salaries are reduced and do not cover the costs already assumed. In some cases, the workers become increasingly indebted since they have to buy everything they need at inflated prices from the hacienda shop. Their debts increase to such an extent that they can never be paid off and they are thus forced to continue working.77 114. Workers are often supervised by armed guards who do not allow them to leave the haciendas. If they do try to escape, they are usually hunted down and beaten.78 Furthermore, the geographical location of the haciendas may, of itself, limit the liberty of the workers, because access to urban centers is often impossible owing, not only to the distance, but also to the poor conditions of access roads.79 Some workers endure physical, sexual and verbal abuse, in addition to working in dangerous, unhygienic and degrading conditions. 80 Owing to their extreme poverty, their situation of vulnerability and their desperation to work, workers often accept such conditions.81 115. Regarding the investigations into these facts, according to the ILO, the roots of the situation of impunity for the use of slave labor lie in the links between landowners and the federal, state and municipal authorities in Brazil. Many landowners exercise power and influence within various national bodies, either directly or indirectly.82 Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 29 (evidence file, folio 163). 73 Testimony of Leonardo Sakamoto at the public hearing. Written expert opinion of Raquel Elias Ferreira Dodge of February 18, 2016 (evidence file folio 15368). Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, paras. 15 to 40 (evidence file, folio 163). 74 This is the word used for the individuals who contact, recruit, transfer and, in some cases also, supervise the workers from their states of origin to the haciendas. See, among others, the testimony before the Court of Leonardo Sakamoto, Ana Paula de Sousa and Raquel Dodge. 75 Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil. Manual to combat work in conditions similar to those of slavery. November 2011 (evidence file, folio 10003). Written expert opinion of Raquel Elias Ferreira Dodge of February 18, 2016 (evidence file folio 15366). Testimony of Ana Paula de Souza at the public hearing. Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 31 (evidence file, folio 164). 76 Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil. Manual to combat work in conditions similar to those of slavery. November 2011 (evidence file, folios 10006 and 10007). Testimony of Ana Paula de Souza at the public hearing Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 31 (evidence file, folio 164). 77 Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil. Manual to combat work in conditions similar to those of slavery. November 2011 (evidence file, folio 10004). Testimony of Ana Paula de Souza at the public hearing Written expert opinion of Raquel Elias Ferreira Dodge of February 18, 2016 (evidence file folio 15368). Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 32 (evidence file, folio 164). 78 79 Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil. Manual to combat work in conditions similar to those of slavery. November 2011 (evidence file, folio 10005). Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil. Manual to combat work in conditions similar to those of slavery. November 2011 (evidence file, folio 10004). Written expert opinion of Raquel Elias Ferreira Dodge of February 18, 2016 (evidence file folios 15372 and 15373). Testimony of Ana Paula de Souza at the public hearing. Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 33 (evidence file, folio 164). 80 Testimony of Leonardo Sakamoto at the public hearing Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Gulnara Shahinian. Mission to Brazil, August 30, 2010, para. 35 (evidence file, folio 164). 81 Testimony of Leonardo Sakamoto at the public hearing. International Labour Organization (ILO). Fighting forced labour: the example of Brazil. Brasilia, 2010, p. 42 (evidence file, folio 371). 82 28