Eight Brazilian coffee workers have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Seattle-based Starbucks, alleging they were trafficked and forced to harvest coffee under what Brazilian authorities described as “slavery-like conditions.”
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Seattle federal court, seeks damages on behalf of the named plaintiffs and potentially thousands of other workers who allegedly harvested coffee destined for Starbucks stores.
The plaintiffs allege they were recruited by illegal labor brokers known as “Gatos,” transported to coffee farms in Brazil, and subjected to exploitative working conditions.
According to the lawsuit, the workers were trafficked to coffee plantations that supplied coffee through Cooxupé, a major Brazilian coffee cooperative that the complaint describes as a key Starbucks supplier.
“The coffee sector in Brazil was founded on slavery and continues to depend upon slavery,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit was brought by eight plaintiffs identified as John Does, including one minor represented by his mother. All reside in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, a region responsible for a significant share of the country’s coffee production.
Workers allege trafficking and forced labor
The plaintiffs claim recruiters traveled to poor rural communities and promised well-paying jobs and decent working conditions.
Instead, workers allegedly found themselves trapped in debt and forced to work under harsh conditions harvesting coffee.
“Almost always, the Gato would make false representations to potential workers, promising jobs with high pay and good conditions,” the lawsuit alleges.
The complaint further alleges that workers were advanced money for food, transportation and equipment, then forced to work off those debts under conditions that resembled modern-day slavery.
“This entire system is regularized and has repeatedly been found to be illegal by the Government of Brazil,” reads the complaint. “All of the Plaintiffs fell victim to this system of trafficking and slavery.”
The plaintiffs are suing under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which allows certain human trafficking and forced labor claims to be pursued in U.S. courts.
Each plaintiff was reportedly identified in Brazilian government reports involving labor violations and workers found to be operating under what authorities described as “slavery-like conditions,” according to the lawsuit.
Starbucks accused of benefiting from labor abuses
The lawsuit does not allege Starbucks directly owned the farms where the workers labored.
Instead, the plaintiffs argue Starbucks benefited financially from coffee harvested through an abusive labor system and failed to adequately monitor suppliers in its supply chain.
“Starbucks’ profits are enhanced by the low wages and miserable conditions forced upon Plaintiffs and thousands of other coffee workers,” the complaint alleges.
The workers also challenge Starbucks’ public claims regarding ethical sourcing.
“Starbucks prominently assures the public on its website that ‘We Believe in the Pursuit of Doing Good,’” the complaint states before alleging those statements are inconsistent with labor conditions found on some supplier farms.
The lawsuit further claims Starbucks knew or should have known about labor abuses occurring within portions of its coffee supply chain.
A court has not determined whether those allegations are true.
Proposed class could include thousands
The lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of workers who allegedly were trafficked and forced to harvest coffee on Starbucks-supplying farms in Minas Gerais between June 2016 and the present.
According to the complaint, the proposed class could include thousands of workers.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and other relief that would be determined later in the litigation.
Case moved to Starbucks’ home state
This is not the first time the workers have sued Starbucks.
The plaintiffs initially filed a similar lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., in 2025. That case was dismissed because the court determined it lacked personal jurisdiction over Starbucks.
The workers refiled the case in Seattle because Starbucks is headquartered in the city.
“Plaintiffs are now refiling this civil action in the Western District of Washington, where Starbucks is headquartered and where personal jurisdiction cannot be disputed,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit paints a broader picture of labor practices within portions of the global coffee industry and alleges Starbucks has received repeated warnings regarding labor issues throughout its supply chain.
Starbucks Responds
In a statement to Puget Press, a representative for Starbucks confirmed the company is aware of the allegations, believes they are “without merit,” and will defend itself in court.
“Starbucks is committed to ethical sourcing of coffee, including advancing respect to the rights of people who work on the farms where we purchase coffee from,” the company said.
“For more than 20 years, Starbucks has worked with independent experts to develop and strengthen our C.A.F.E. Practices standards. We take appropriate steps with respect to our supply chain, conduct regular farm audits, and take action when issues arise—including ending relationships with suppliers when necessary.”
The representative went on to say that Starbucks will “continue to stand by our values while remaining focused on transparency, accountability, and building a more sustainable future for coffee.”
