AGRICULTURAL-WORKERS IN CHILE - SITUATION S AND OPINIONS

Agricultural workers, particularly seasonal workers live under precari ous social conditions indicated by their low level of schooling, small property, primitive housing, low income, and their deficiencies in so cial security. Workers interviewed are of the opinion that their situa tion could be said to be equivalent to that of urban workers but that they are worse off than family farmers. Conditions of work and incomes of permanent workers differ from those of seasonal workers. Permanent staff earn 35 to 50 % more money, moreover they have the benefit of g uaranteed minimum wages, regular secured job and, thus, continued mont hly salary. Workers keep this in high esteem. Although relevant litera ture talks of a high potential of migration among agricultural workers , the families interviewed seem not yet to be attracted by urban life. This could be explained by the actual level of payment which is about the same in both urban and rural areas, a novelty in Chile because so far urban wages have been higher than rural ones. Main disadvantages of rural life according to the families interviewed are deficient tran sport connections and access to health and schooling facilities. Advan tages are f.e. lower cost of living, less environmental pollution and a quiet life. Whereas job instability is a problem for the workers, em ployers gain with it. They are in a better position to balance supply and demand of labour force if there are no fixed contracts and no mech anization. Moreover, fluctuating labour force is not in a position to organize and lacks, thus, the power to fight for better conditions. Ob viously, government has to take initiatives to improve the situation o f the so far almost outlawed seasonal workers. Most agricultural worke rs feel they are appreciated in the rural areas, at lease to the same degree as small farmers. However, in urban areas they feel uneasy. As far as their children are concerned agricultural workers do no longer prefer rural areas for them to live in. Only one quarter of interviewe es wants children to stay there, most prefer a future in town. In this regard there still exists a potential for migration. Workers intervie wed disagreed with government and local administration. Almost three t hirds have the impression that their business is not cared for. They w ant government to increase wages, improve housing and schooling facili ties as well as making jobs more secure. Agricultural workers' expecta tions exhibit no illusions about their future but rather a most realis tic view. Consequently, at present no tendencies for migration can be seen. Things most frequently wanted by agricultural workers are a hous e of their own, permanent jobs and a piece of land.