The historical trajectory of labor studies in Latin America: Interview with Julio César Neffa

Abstract

Julio César Neffa, an internationally renowned Argentine professor and researcher, discusses various topics within labor studies in this interview. These studies have been made possible through the collaboration of intellectuals who contributed to the founding of important institutions and the establishment of research groups in Latin America, often in contexts of political adversity, such as dictatorial regimes. By emphasizing the history of the institutionalization of these studies in the region, Neffa argues that, as they have consolidated into a multidisciplinary field of knowledge, they have focused on topics such as trade unionism and the relationship between the meanings of formal and informal work. He also problematizes the definition of work as a socially grounded activity that involves the worker in their entirety, highlighting that, even in contexts of super-exploitation, it often leads to physical, psychological, and mental illness. Finally, Neffa argues that changes in the mode of production have enabled the development of technologies that simplify labor, so that its management is no longer limited to the body. Thus, this interview, in addition to addressing topics that remain relevant in labor studies, invites reflection on the definition of work and its broader epistemic, theoretical, and methodological implications.