Migratory dynamics and the incorporation of workers in the agribusiness of grapes for export: a comparative analysis of cases from Chile and Brazil

Abstract

Based on theoretical contributions from the Sociology of Agriculture and Labor studies, this article deals with labor relations and ongoing processes of exclusion and inclusion of migrant labor in the fields of production and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables in Latin American countries. With special reference to workers in grape agribusinesses, it takes as main research subject migratory dynamics and related forms and processes of incorporation of workers into the modern fields of production and export of fruits from the so-called global South to the global North. The methodology is based on fieldwork carried out in Brazil and Chile between 2014 and 2018, interviews, discussion groups, official statistics and public data banks. Accordingly, this article contributes to unveil migratory processes, persistent vulnerabilities and forms of exploitation of workers in contemporary fruit contexts.