Young workers and the labour meanings

Abstract

This article summarises a research about young workers (male and female) in the autoparts sector of São Bernardo, Brazil. Despite the low wages and the occupations general features (low qualification levels and very hard physical labour), most of the interviewed young workers considers their job as central in their lives, especially in a difficult economic period. Professional realisation comes second, even among the educated people. But Labour has different meanings, beyond the access to income, such as independence, personal realisation and dignity. Each meaning relates to gender differences, birth place and school trajectories, as well as a big diversity of professional projects.