A condição da mulher no trabalho doméstico: uma análise para o município de João Pessoa-PB

Abstract

The present study has as main objective to analyze the conditions of the insertion of women in the labor market and the activity of domestic labor in the municipality of João Pessoa-PB. Domestic work is predominantly performed by women because they require cultural skills and historically attributed to females. Despite being an important productive activity, it is still carried out under conditions of vulnerability and precariousness, even with the advances achieved by labor legislation, with fragile social recognition. To address the issue, it became necessary to carry out a theoretical review in order to problematize the context of domestic work in society, highlighting some aspects about the origin and definition of domestic work, (in) formality and labor legislation. The research is considered bibliographical, quantitative, descriptive and qualitative. Secondary data were collected through the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, seeking to characterize the profile of working women in terms of schooling, age, occupation, income and the particularities and conditions of domestic work. In addition, a field survey was conducted with monthly and diarist domestic workers, through a semi-structured interview, with the aim of addressing subjective issues related to precariousness and social vulnerability, not captured by the secondary data. The research found a strong presence of women in this occupation, with low level of education, without professional qualification, from the interior and with low incomes. Although it is relevant to recognize the recent advances in the specific legislation for domestic work, this activity is still marked by precariousness, discrimination and informality. As for union representation, the difficulty faced is the insufficient engagement of domestic workers, given their long working hours, although they recognize the importance of this organization for the effectiveness of the category's rights.