work and care: dockworkers conceptions about brazilian port modernization law 8630/93

Introduction: Brazilian’s ports had their work organization dramatic modified by Port Modernization Law (8630/93), with great impact to occupational health. Objective: This study investigated dockworkers conceptions about the impacts of Law 8630/93 to work and health care. Method: The empirical research that grounded the discussion had a qualitative approach and it used as instruments for obtaining data ethnographic observation and 39 in-depth dockworkers interviews. Methods triangulation was applied to the empirical material according to the conceptual framework of hermeneutical referential. Results: Since law 8630/93 was established, dockworkers have been named as Trabalhadores Portuários Avulsos (TPAs) and they reported that their work organization, that was historically build by them, has been suffering a lot of changes, as: lower payments, uncertainty about getting ‘the job of the day’ and lost of control about their shifts. They share a neglect way of care about their health issues although having the understanding that they perform risk jobs in a dangerous profession, surrounded by accidents. Conclusion: TPAs’ work organization has changed by Law 8630/93 and, according to them, it brought a lot of losses: real ones (lack of freedom, work control and payments) and symbolical (turning into TPAs and union neutralization). They underestimate their health issues, avoiding to seek medical treatment, a common male attitude according to the gender referential.