Trabalhadores temporários para o café: mecanização e núcleos coloniais em São Paulo, 1895-1911

Abstract

This article analyses the concerns related to the seasonal labor as a result of the coffee
farming growth along with the price decline of coffee, at the transition from XIX century
to XX century. Particularly, this article debates the need of cost reduction in labor due
to the challenges involved in the continuous expansion of the coffee farming at that
moment. The proposal discussed in the article favored the mechanization of part of
the work in the coffee agriculture in association with the contractual hiring of seasonal
workers. The creation of colonial nucleus, in strategic locations, could contribute to
increment this type of workforce. The analysis of this discussion demonstrates that
segments of the Sao Paulo economic elite were aware that having ample availability of
labor force was the only way to allow mechanization, flexibility and cost reduction at
the times of intense agricultural work.