Citation

Moulin MG, Minayo-Gomez C. Cien. Saude Colet. 2008; 13(4): 1361-1369.

Vernacular Title

Pedras sobre vidas: vitimas e viuvas na industria de marmore em Itaoca (ES).

Affiliation

Departamento de Psicologia Social e Desenvolvimento, Universidade Federal de Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, 29060-970.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18813637

Abstract

This text based on an ethnographic survey presents the social impact on the families of victims of fatal work accidents in the ornamental stone industry in Itaoca, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espi­rito Santo, Brazil. The following elements are analyzed: family culture; living with fatal accidents; experiences of family grief; the way the companies and the union deal with worker rights; material, symbolic, and emotional resources used by the families to face hardship caused by accidents. Authoritarian management appealing to masculinity and improvisation are factors that favor work accidents. The need to earn their living, the fact of valuing work as an attribute of honorableness and lack of options render the workers subject to domination. Most of the widows are highly religious and receive emotional, symbolic and material support from their families, the community and the union. There is a notable lack of concern and support for the families on the part of managers and public institutions. Advances in the organization of the union and improvement of the working conditions forced by the demands of export buyers have occurred recently.

Language: pt