Production process and health of metalworkers in the Campinas region, São Paulo, Brazil
1
Faculdade de Enfermagem (School of Nursing), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (State University of Campinas), Campinas, Brazil
2
Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (National School of Public Health), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3
Faculdade de Enfermagem (Nursing College), Unversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (State University of Rio de Janeiro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4
Instituto Walter Leser (Walter Leser Institute), Fundação Escola de Sociologia e Política de São Paulo (School of Sociology and Politics of São Paulo Foundation), São Paulo, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3763
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Labor landscape in Brazil includes economic crises, changes in production processes, and Labor Reform, affecting the protection of workers’ health[1]. The objective is to analyze the production and health processes among metalworkers in the Campinas region, between the economic crises of 2014-2017 and 2020-2021.
METHODS:
Case study with data collection between October 2019 and 2021, including documentary research, participant observation, and 19 open interviews with workers, union members, and professionals from the Health Department of the Metalworkers Union of Campinas region. The analysis uses qualitative methodologies. The research follows ethical recommendations.
RESULTS:
The categories resulting from the analysis are: (a) production process and workers’ wearing down; (b) Labor Reform and collective bargaining; (c) workers’ and union actions to protect health; and (d) situation of workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Work intensification, extended working hours, and management by stress characterize the production in metallurgical factories. Workers’ wearing down includes diffuse symptoms, musculoskeletal diseases, mental disorders, workplace accidents, etc. Workers’ useful lifespan is approximately five years, after that they are excluded from companies and economic sector. It configures a predatory use of the workforce[2]. Union seek to obtain recognition of work-related illnesses. Following the Labor Reform, metalworkers face an offensive from companies against their rights, including job security until retirement for workers with disability restrictions on work. Workers also faced the deterioration of vocational rehabilitation programs[3]. During Covid-19 pandemic, companies fired, reduced working hours and wages, and suspended employment contracts. The scope of collective bargaining reduced to company-specific agreements.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights social and historical determination of labor on workers' health[4], emphasizing the collective dimension of health-illness process. It underscores the importance of researches initiatives that value shared knowledge among workers, universities, health services, and public policies, aiming the transformation of work conditions and health protection[5].
Labor landscape in Brazil includes economic crises, changes in production processes, and Labor Reform, affecting the protection of workers’ health[1]. The objective is to analyze the production and health processes among metalworkers in the Campinas region, between the economic crises of 2014-2017 and 2020-2021.
METHODS:
Case study with data collection between October 2019 and 2021, including documentary research, participant observation, and 19 open interviews with workers, union members, and professionals from the Health Department of the Metalworkers Union of Campinas region. The analysis uses qualitative methodologies. The research follows ethical recommendations.
RESULTS:
The categories resulting from the analysis are: (a) production process and workers’ wearing down; (b) Labor Reform and collective bargaining; (c) workers’ and union actions to protect health; and (d) situation of workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Work intensification, extended working hours, and management by stress characterize the production in metallurgical factories. Workers’ wearing down includes diffuse symptoms, musculoskeletal diseases, mental disorders, workplace accidents, etc. Workers’ useful lifespan is approximately five years, after that they are excluded from companies and economic sector. It configures a predatory use of the workforce[2]. Union seek to obtain recognition of work-related illnesses. Following the Labor Reform, metalworkers face an offensive from companies against their rights, including job security until retirement for workers with disability restrictions on work. Workers also faced the deterioration of vocational rehabilitation programs[3]. During Covid-19 pandemic, companies fired, reduced working hours and wages, and suspended employment contracts. The scope of collective bargaining reduced to company-specific agreements.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights social and historical determination of labor on workers' health[4], emphasizing the collective dimension of health-illness process. It underscores the importance of researches initiatives that value shared knowledge among workers, universities, health services, and public policies, aiming the transformation of work conditions and health protection[5].
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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