In Minas Gerais, Brazil, coffee cooperatives, smallholder farmers, and rural unions participated in capacity-building activities organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through its Vision Zero Fund, in collaboration with Brazil’s Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Confederation of Rural Salaried Workers (CONTAR), with co-financing from the European Union. Held between 28 and 30 October 2025, the trainings engaged representatives from coffee cooperatives and over 80 small producers and workers from Santo Antônio do Amparo and neighboring municipalities, aiming to strengthen occupational safety and health (OSH) in the coffee supply chain.
The first training focused on five coffee cooperatives in Minas Gerais, which collectively serve approximately 30,000 members. Participants learned to integrate OSH practices into their organizational culture, assess workplace risks, and develop action plans for continuous improvement in safety and health. Leandro Costa Marinho, Labor Inspector at Brazil’s Ministry of Labour, emphasized that empowering cooperatives as prevention agents could expand the culture of safety to thousands of small producers more effectively.
The second training addressed smallholder farmers and rural workers, highlighting sector-specific risks such as pesticide exposure, machinery handling, and repetitive physical labor. Practical sessions guided participants in preventive measures and compliance with Brazil’s National Regulatory Standard No. 31 (NR-31), encouraging workers to reflect on how daily practices impact their health and safety. Laíssa Pollyana Carmo, Project Coordinator at CONTAR, stressed the importance of empowering rural workers regarding their rights and occupational safety.
Participants reported gaining a better understanding of occupational risks and their rights at work. Cooperative representatives committed to implementing their OSH action plans and expanding awareness among members and local producers. The event also marked the launch of two ILO training manuals—Instructor’s and Participant’s Guides—providing practical tools to strengthen OSH and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRWs) across Brazil’s coffee sector. Juliana Brandão, National Project Officer at ILO-Brazil, noted that these trainings translate knowledge into tangible improvements and that ongoing technical assistance will ensure lasting results.
Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer and exporter, employs around 300,000 workers directly in the sector, yet informality and occupational risks remain prevalent, particularly among small producers and temporary workers. By engaging cooperatives, producers, and workers, the ILO and partners aim to enhance local capacity to prevent accidents, promote regulatory compliance, and advance respect for workers’ fundamental rights. The Vision Zero Fund, part of the ILO’s Safety & Health for All programme, continues to support these efforts to cultivate a culture of safe and healthy work in the coffee industry.
