Cooperativismo, alternativa ou ilusão?: um estudo de caso com os trabalhadores informais inseridos no ramo alimentício de salgados nos municípios de Tabatinga e Benjamin Constant, Amazonas

Abstract

This research entitled Cooperativism - Alternative or Illusion? A Case Study of the Informal Workers in the Snacks Food Sector in the cities of Tabatinga and Benjamin Constant, Amazonas, is important to elucidate the discussion about informal work and the alternatives to organize the labor force in the bases of a solidarity economy, because, if on the one hand, the number of jobs has decreased, on the other hand, the unemployment rate has increased and, consequently, the labor force in the informal labor market. It shows a reflex of the unemployment scene where the workers moved by the need to ensure family support, many workers have entered the informal labor market as a way to promote employment and monthly income. In general terms, it was sought to know and understand the informal work performance of the snack food sector in the neighboring cities of Tabatinga and Benjamin Constant, as the contribution of cooperativism as an alternative to improve work. The specific purpose was: a) to identify the profile of informal workers and the economic activity of snack food industry; b) to describe the main difficulties that informal workers face in this sector; c) to discuss how the cooperativism may contribute to improve the informal workers condition in the snack food sector. The research was based on the dialectical method, and guided by a qualitative approach, using interviews and application forms with the informal snack workers from the cities of Tabatinga and Benjamin Constant. This research allowed to check that informal activity in the snack food sector is a reality and a part of the regional population daily life, the product sold is part of the consumer's eating habits, which has been seen as an opportunity for income generation for many local families. However, the workers involved in this activity face many problems regarding the limitation of the capital for the acquisition of inputs, lack of equipment and adequate place for production, inadequate infrastructure for commercialization and competitiveness since the concentration of snack sales is one of the main activities in the cities investigated. Considering the facts, is necessary to think about alternatives to improve the work and performance in this market. Therefore, this studies purpose was to propose some alternatives that, these kind of workers, can achieve recognition in their activity and, been covered by public policies that enable them to develop their business activities.