Neoliberalism is bad for health: New configurations in the world of work and the workers health

Authors

  • Matheus Oliveira Lacerda Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) – Natal (RN), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8609-6647
  • Natália Ramos da Silva Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) – Natal (RN), Brasil.
  • Eliana Costa Guerra Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) – Natal (RN), Brasil.

Keywords:

Occupational health, Precarious employment, Social control, Working conditions, Exploitation, labor

Abstract

This essay is based on the theoretical perspective of the social determination of health. It aims
to problematize the hegemony of neoliberalism in determining new labor relations in contemporary times
and the consequences of this phenomenon for the health-illness-care process of workers, especially in Brazil. In this way, we will discuss the process of precarious work in the neoliberal context, presenting its forms of managing psychological suffering in the so-called society of illnesses at work. But beyond this, we will also highlight the revolutionary solutions arduously constructed by the working class with responses presented
through the mobilization processes against the 6x1 scale and/or the demands organized by people who work with delivery apps. In conjunction with this theoretical debate, we list data on the illness of Brazilian workers, as well as their main demands in the mobilization processes undertaken in recent years. Thus, we intend to provide support for discussions and proposals in the 5th National Conference on Workers’ Health based on a theoretical debate committed to modern processes of social mobilization of the working class.

Published

2025-08-14

How to Cite

1.
Oliveira Lacerda M, Ramos da Silva N, Costa Guerra E. Neoliberalism is bad for health: New configurations in the world of work and the workers health. Saúde debate [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 14 [cited 2025 Oct. 9];49(especial 2 ago). Available from: https://www.saudeemdebate.org.br/sed/article/view/10541

Data statement

  • The research data is contained in the manuscript