The socio-occupational vulnerability of Brazilian domestic workers during the coronavirus pandemic: The aggravation of social injustices

Autores/as

  • Sheila Stolz Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Brasil
  • Carolina Flores Gusmão Advogada, Brasil

Resumen

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil demonstrated the mar ginalized situation in which domestic workers are. The biggest country in the world in domestic worker population, with around 7 million domestic workers, has not estab lished a national health plan to deal with the virus. Though some specific measures were taken, especially involving the economy, domestic workers remained as one of the most affected sectors in Brazil, both economically and in terms of health. This article aims to present, first, an overall view of domestic workers’ condition, taking into account ordinances and the social structure involving domestic work in Brazil. Then, because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, it is presented how domestic workers were particularly affected. Considering that domestic work is a job essentially done by women and mostly black women from lower social classes, this study is outlined by the theories of intersectionality and social justice.

Palabras clave:

Socio-occupational vulnerability, domestic workers rights, gender in equality, ethnic/racial inequality, coronavirus pandemic, social justice.

Biografía del autor/a

Sheila Stolz, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Brasil

Sheila Stolz is Full Professor of the Bachelor in Law and of the Graduation Program in Law and Social Justice (Master Program) at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande.

She holds a PhD in Law from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul and received a CAPES fund. She holds a Master’s degree in Law from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain. She is Chair of the Graduation Program in Law and Social Jus[1]tice and, also, coordinates the Research Group Law, Gender and Plural Identities and the Center of Research and Extension in Human Rights. E-mail: sheilastolz@gmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3591-7153.

Carolina Flores Gusmão, Advogada, Brasil

Carolina Flores Gusmão holds a Master’s degree in Law and Social Justice from Faculdade de Direito (FaDir) at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande. She is volunteer tutor of the Continuing Studies program Education in Human Rights. She is also a Lawyer. E-mail fg.carolina@hotmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8579-0026.