Impacts of technological and organizational changes on working conditions in Brazilian sugarcane: an analysis on 2000-2019

This article analyses changes in working conditions in sugarcane in the light of Brazilian legislation in the 20 years, when the sector expanded and adopted new technological solutions and management paths. A central theme is understanding the effects of harvesting mechanization, which reached 90% of the national production on average. In total, 15,488 notices of violation were analysed, issued between 2000 and 2019 against the 280 business groups authorized by the ANP (National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) to produce fuel ethanol from sugarcane, both in their agricultural and industrial operations. For comparisons purposes, the country was divided into three major producing regions – São Paulo, Northeast and Other States. The most common irregularities refer to workers’ health and safety, mandatory rest, working hours, and pay. Notices of violation saw an upward trend until 2013, given the expansion of sugarcane throughout the country and authorities’ strategy to pressure the sector and improve Brazilian ethanol’s international reputation. The number of fines began to fall in 2014. Among the causes, intensification of mechanized harvesting reduced the number of workers in manual cutting – where irregularities were concentrated – and reduction in the impulse towards enforcement, given the Brazilian government’s fiscal crisis.