Evolution in the number and social characteristics of sugarcane workers

Since 2006, the manual cutting of burnt sugarcane has been replaced by mechanical cutting without burning, with the aim of strengthening ethanol’s image as a renewable fuel that is less aggressive to the environment. The aim of this research is to analyze the effects of technological changes on the evolution of the number of unskilled workers employed by sugar-alcohol companies in the municipalities of Barrinha, Guariba, Jaboticabal and Pitangueiras. It also analyzes the composition of the workers in terms of their social characteristics, including age, schooling and gender, and the participation of public authorities in retraining and outplacement programs.