The Brazilian meat producer MBRF is facing a civil lawsuit due to alleged failures in protecting pregnant workers, following a case of a Venezuelan employee who suffered a miscarriage.
The Brazilian meat company MBRF has been sued by the Ministry of Labor for allegedly failing to protect its pregnant employees, particularly highlighted by a case involving a pregnant Venezuelan worker who experienced a miscarriage at the factory entrance. This incident, which occurred in April 2024 when the worker was eight months pregnant with twins, prompted a civil lawsuit against MBRF after the employee was compensated for her loss.
In the aftermath of this event, the Labour Public Ministry (MPT) initiated a broader investigation that examined workplace conditions for pregnant employees. An assessment of data from 2019 to 2025 revealed a concerning trend, with the uncovering of 144 records relating to miscarriage or the threat of miscarriage involving 116 employees, out of which 77 were confirmed miscarriages. These findings suggested systemic issues in the company's health and safety measures concerning pregnant workers.
The MPT's inquiry highlights the urgent need for enhanced protections for expectant mothers within the workforce. Given the documented health risks and the tragic outcomes evidenced, the case could prompt significant changes in workplace regulations, placing greater emphasis on maternal health protections and potentially leading to stricter oversight of companies in Brazil regarding their responsibilities toward pregnant employees.
