A caracterização do trabalho e garantias legais dos coletores de açaí na cadeia produtiva do açaí no município de Santana / AP.

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the working conditions and the effectiveness of legal protections for açaí harvesters (peconheiros) in the municipality of Santana/AP. Based on the research problem regarding the factors that explain the persistence of labor precariousness and the social invisibility of these workers, a qualitative approach was adopted, based on a literature review and documentary analysis. The results reveal a reality marked by total informality: the absence of formal employment relationships denies peconheiros access to fundamental labor rights, such as retirement, sick leave, and protection against accidents. Based on review studies, it was found that most workers have already suffered serious accidents, such as falls and cuts, highlighting the chronic lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure to extreme occupational risks. The remuneration, calculated based on the volume collected ("can"), is unstable and subjected to intermediaries, amounting to disguised economic subordination. It is concluded that the activity of the peconheiros constitutes a paradigmatic case of the structural precarization of labor in contemporary capitalism, as theorized by Antunes (2018). Overcoming this scenario requires integrated public policies that promote productive inclusion, the appreciation of traditional knowledge, and fair governance of the açaí production chain, ensuring dignity, safety, and professional recognition for these essential workers.