Quando uma dose de veneno vale mais do que uma vida

This study investigates the worsening context of socio-environmental vulnerability of pesticide spraying workers in the municipality of Vera Cruz -RN, in the light of Amartya Sen's conception of development, in particular his approach to capabilities, focusing on socioeconomic, health, work conditions and the motivations that guided the "choice" of individuals for that role. It is a qualitative research with bibliographic review and interviews with 14 sprays workers. The results shows that they are subjected to, without any form of control and care, low remuneration and absence of social protection. However, spraying has better incomes when compared to other agricultural functions. For this reason, precarious conditions are often denied by the workers themselves who fear the loss of their jobs. According to Sen, these conditions prevent individuals from performing their capacities and their role as agents, as they limit their choices and deprive their instrumental freedoms, making it impossible for them to improve their quality of life. From a socio-environmental perspective, vulnerabilities have increased, altering the worker's natural and health conditions. Lastly, no action by the government was identified to curb the clandestine commercialization of pesticides easily purchased at place establishments

Art · Humanities · Sociology · Agricultural and Food Sciences · Philosophy · Rural Development and Agriculture