Coffee cooperatives, smallholder farmers and rural unions in Brazil's main coffee-growing region joined efforts to promote safer and healthier workplaces through two 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), and with co-financing from the European Union.
Held between 28 and 30 October 2025, the trainings brought together representatives from coffee cooperatives and more than 80 small producers and workers from the city of Santo Antônio do Amparo and neighbouring municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais. The initiative forms part of the VZF's broader work to strengthen occupational safety and health (OSH) in the coffee supply chain.
Building safer and healthier workplaces in the coffee supply chain
The first training, held on 28-29 October, was aimed at representatives of five coffee cooperatives across Minas Gerais, providing them with knowledge and tools to promote OSH and fundamental labour rights among their members. Together, these cooperatives provide services to approximately 30,000 members. Participants explored how to integrate OSH practices into their organizational culture and management systems, assess workplace risks, and develop action plans to foster continuous improvement in safety and health.
"Strengthening the capacity of cooperatives in occupational safety and health is essential to achieve sustainable improvements in the coffee sector. When cooperatives become agents of prevention, we can expand the culture of safety to thousands of small producers more effectively.", Leandro Costa Marinho, Labor Inspector at Brazil's Ministry of Labour, said.
The second training, on 30 October, was designed to coffee smallholder farmers and rural workers, addressing the specific risks of the sector, from exposure to pesticides to handling agricultural machinery and repetitive physical effort. Through accessible, practical sessions, participants learned how to apply simple preventive measures and comply with the Brazilian National Regulatory Standard No. 31 (NR-31), which establishes safety and health guidelines for rural work in agriculture. This approach encouraged workers to move beyond habitual practices and consciously reflect on how their daily actions impact their health and safety.
"Empowering rural workers about their rights and occupational safety is an investment in lives. As CONTAR, we celebrate initiatives like this one that place prevention and fundamental rights at the center of the coffee sector's agenda.", Laíssa Pollyana Carmo, Project Coordinator at the National Confederation of Rural Wage Workers (CONTAR), said.
Participants highlighted how the training helped them better understand occupational risks and their rights at work. Several cooperative representatives committed to applying their newly developed OSH action plans and to expanding awareness activities among members and local producers.
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New ILO manuals to support local action
The event also marked the launch of two new ILO training tools:
- Practical Guide on Safety, Health and Other Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work for Coffee Cooperatives in Brazil - Instructor's Manual
- Practical Guide on Safety, Health and Other Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work for Coffee Cooperatives in Brazil - Participant's Manual
Developed by the ILO with co-funding from the European Union, the manuals provide practical guidance to strengthen OSH and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRWs) across Brazil's coffee supply chain. They contribute to the implementation of the ILO's ongoing strategy under the Vision Zero Fund to promote a culture of prevention and decent work in global supply chains.
"We are transforming knowledge into real change. These trainings, grounded in the Vision Zero Fund's research, provide cooperatives and producers with the tools they need to create safer workplaces. And we are not stopping here. We will continue providing technical assistance to ensure lasting results.", Juliana Brandão, National Project Officer at ILO-Brazil, said.
Towards safer and fairer coffee production
Brazil is the world's largest producer and exporter of coffee, employing around 300,000 workers directly in the sector. Yet, informality and exposure to occupational risks remain significant challenges, especially among small producers and temporary workers.
By engaging cooperatives, producers and workers, the ILO and its partners aim to strengthen local capacity to prevent accidents, promote compliance with OSH regulations, and advance respect for workers' fundamental rights.
The ILO will continue to provide technical assistance to participating cooperatives as they implement their OSH action plans, share good practices and promote a culture of prevention that benefits both workers and communities.
Vision Zero Fund is part of Safety & Health for All, an ILO flagship programme building a culture of safe, healthy work.
