Precariousness(ies), agency(ies) and old age in seasonal fruit workers in Chile

Work in fruit growing industry in Chile presents structural characteristics that normalize the precariousness of working conditions which, when studied in elderly women, with more than three decades of experience in the industry, in the crossroads with reproductive work, show a condition of overall precariousness of life. The article sought to address the relationship between the precariousness of both jobs and the emergence of elements of agency as a buffer against inequality. The methodology was designed based on the qualitative analysis of 10 interviews of women workers between 59 and 74 years of age who have grown old as seasonal workers. The results show that the concept of precarious emancipation would crystallize in access to economic autonomy, but at the cost of sacrificial work rhythms in tension with reproductive labour. It is concluded from the link between precariousness and agency, there are limitations in collective social action, even when individual agency signals are visible.