Abstract
Introduction:
production demands, as opposed to workers' needs, result in their health assistance becoming a conflict arena. Objective: to analyze the power games related to workers' sick leaves in the slaughterhouse and meat processing industry.
Method:
qualitative research with the participation of 17 workers and 14 healthcare professionals. Data collection through documentary research, semi-structured interviews and participant observation recorded in field notebook.
Results:
sick leaves certificates became the industry main control related to workers' health care. This control is exerted through restricting, refusing and reducing the number of medical sick leave certificates. On the other hand, workers try to secure the financial benefit generated by their sick leave because of the guarantee of material independence that is provided during their illness.
Conclusion:
sick leaves are central in power relations among workers, industry and healthcare professionals, resulting in significant impacts in the way health care is provided and for the implementation of workers' health policies in Brazil.
Keywords:
sick leave; occupational health; slaughterhouse and meat processing industry; power relations