Constructing a city, building a life: Brazilian construction workers’ continuous mobility as a permanent life strategy

Abstract

This article provides an ethnographic analysis of domestic labor mobility among Brazilian construction workers in the context of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. We start from the premise that mobile laborers are crucial for the physical development and expansion of cities. However, the importance of domestic migrants in this process is insufficiently addressed in mobility studies. Building on existing research on domestic population movements in Brazil, we argue that the current generation of mobile construction workers draws on the intangible and material infrastructure generated by previous generations of migrants to enable novel kinds of (permanent) labor mobilities.

Health and social needs of migrant construction workers for big sporting events

“…With short deadlines, they work irregular and long hours and during hot seasons, and they live in substandard and crowded housing, as documented in construction projects in the Olympics in Beijing and the planned FIFA World Cup in Qatar 1516. Ethnographic, language, and psychosocial challenges also affect the health and social conditions of migrant construction workers concerned in big sporting events 171819…”

Improving the evidence on health inequities in migrant construction workers preparing for big sporting events

“…Ethnographic studies have shown that the inability of labour migrants to adequately speak or understand the working language or languages of their managers increases their vulnerability 513. Their temporary stay in the host country and their often unrecognised contribution to the big sporting event undermine their wellbeing, creating an overwhelming sense of disillusionment and disappointment 78.…”

“…For example, research is needed on healthcare services available to migrant workers before leaving their home country, in the host country, and on their return home, including access to screening, preventive healthcare, and vaccination. This information is needed to better understand the factors that impede or facilitate migrant workers’ access to public or private health systems for acute needs during their stay in the host country and the obligations of governments and private companies that manage their stay 5633. Much attention has been given recently to the extent to which migrant populations in high income countries will have access to covid-19 vaccines, with the World Health Organization highlighting low skilled labour migrants as a priority group 3435.…”

“…Much attention has been given recently to the extent to which migrant populations in high income countries will have access to covid-19 vaccines, with the World Health Organization highlighting low skilled labour migrants as a priority group 3435. Because family separation creates health risks for the people who migrate35732 and the people left behind,3637 it is vital also to collect data on the health effects on the families of migrant workers.…”

“…Limited research has explored the occupational, health, and social conditions that migrant workers have experienced, particularly since the year 2000 234567891011121314. To inform international and regional dialogue and policy making, we need to understand better the health needs, social situations, and occupational hazards of such workers.…”