REBOUNDING THE DEBATE ON FLYING WORK IN PAULISTA AGRICULTURE OF THE 1980s

Abstract

In the early 1980s Brazilian society became aware of the existence of thousands of rural temporary workers, employed in precarious conditions in sugarcane plantations in São Paulo state, the richest of Brazil. What drew attention were the large strikes and riots occurred in 1984, apparently without defined organization and leadership, assuming character of social explosion. Studies and academic activities had been working on the issue of temporary work in Brazilian agriculture since the 1960s, more strongly between 1973 and 1983. Currently, this issue receives little attention among researchers. The paper aims to regain academic debate occurred between 1970 and 1980 in Brazil, discussing especially the causes of the rise of the temporary workers and some of its characteristics, in particular those relating to the incidental or seasonal nature of their occupation.