Juventud, trabajo y salud en la cosecha de yerba mate: riesgos, percepciones y experiencias

Abstract

Yerba mate production is the primary agricultural activity in the province of Misiones, generating a high volume of seasonal employment. The *tarefa* (harvesting stage) is characterized by a significant youth presence, marked by precarious working conditions and a lack of reliable records regarding their situation (Re, 2017). This article analyzes the health impacts of yerba mate work on adolescents and young adults (aged 16–24). It draws on a 2019 rapid assessment study—conducted jointly by the National University of Misiones (UNaM), the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), with financial support from the International Labour Organization (ILO)—that utilized interviews, participant observation, and focus groups across various areas of the province. The findings reveal that young people face physical risks (carrying loads of up to 60 kg, cuts, heatstroke, insect bites, and falls), environmental risks (prolonged exposure to sun and humidity), and transport-related risks (unsafe travel in trucks). These risks are compounded by a lack of formal employment registration (leaving them without workplace accident insurance coverage), limited healthcare access, and the incompatibility between harvesting work and schooling. At the same time, young people value this work as a rite of passage and a demonstration of physical vigor, which complicates the development of preventive measures (Re, 2015). The study concludes by highlighting the need for comprehensive policies that incorporate health prevention, social protection, and educational strategies tailored to the life paths of rural youth.