The relation of labor and health in the shoe industry of Franca, São Paulo

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relation of labor and health at a specific location: the shoe industry of Franca, in the interior of São Paulo State. The discussion emphasizes the socio-historic process of this economic activity in Franca, with an emphasis on the productive re-structuring which, since the 1990s, passed part of the production to the workers' residences, establishing so-called Shoe Stitching and Cutting Groups. In this way, based on empiric research, supported by visits to these establishments, interviews with workers and through presentation of a case study, the paper presents the social relations of labor that can aggravate health. Nevertheless, healthcare is not considered in these informal labor relations and the unfortunate workers involved remain distant from collective bargaining and labor inspections and thus possible change.