Health of illegal workers from cattle slaughterhouses in Northeast Brazil

Introduction: Slaughterhouse workers are at high risk of accidents and pathogen contamination. Despite good technology and large production, the slaughter industry still has clandestine settlements in several cities of Brazil's countryside. This illegal activity represents severe risks to the health of consumers and slaughterhouse workers. Only a few studies show the health of clandestine slaughterhouse workers, considered as a hidden population because of their illegal activity. Methods: Thirty workers (6 women and 24 men) answered a questionnaire about the work and health conditions of clandestine slaughtering from a small city in Northeast Brazil. The authors also did local observations of the slaughtering, which broadened the view of this activity. Results: Most slaughterhouse clandestine workers are young, have little educational background, and work without legal rights. Clandestine workers - men and women - have severe health problems related to the activity of cattle slaughtering, which include physical injuries, metabolic diseases and psychological disorders. Women appear to be more affected by these health problems. Working conditions are adverse, dangerous and offer risks of contamination, injuries and chronic diseases. Conclusion: The workers' poorness, low income and low education level can explain the vulnerability to the diseases observed in illegal slaughtering. This is the first study to analyze the health of illegal slaughterhouse workers in Brazil's countryside.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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