Propuesta de investigación sobre la percepción que tienen los trabajadores del sector Cacaotero en San Vicente del Chucurí respecto a riesgos laborales y Seguridad social

Abstract

The agricultural work in the towns of Santander employs a large rural dimension, whether as direct or temporary operators, thus exposing them to various types of risks. These include hazardous chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides, biological agents such as flowers, plants, pests, and insects, carcinogenic substances like herbicides, ergonomic risks from improper use of cutting equipment, fixed postures for extended periods, as well as the transportation of heavy loads and repetitive tasks. Moreover, there are risks associated with contact with wild animals or the use of agricultural machinery such as tractors and trucks, as well as excessively long working hours. The focus of this research is on the cocoa sector specifically in San Vicente de Chucurí, where employment conditions tend to be informal. Consequently, these workers are not affiliated with social security, meaning professional risk administrators cannot contribute to ensuring a safe environment or prevent work-related accidents and illnesses that could help keep workers healthy. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that prevention is key to improving workplace safety and health. According to figures from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), as of February 2022, there were 3,128,000 people employed in agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing in Colombia. In 2021 alone, the Colombian Insurers Federation (Fasecolda) reported 59,310 work-related accidents, 70 occupational diseases, and 35 deaths in this sector. San Vicente de Chucurí, known as Santander's agricultural pantry and the cocoa capital of Colombia, produces 46% of the country's crops, thus generating significant employment opportunities for the region. However, most of its workers lack basic education or have inherited agricultural labor. Given this context, the research will focus on conducting semi-structured interviews with cocoa sector workers in San Vicente de Chucurí. The aim is to understand their perception and knowledge of occupational risks, as well as their understanding of the benefits of formal employment and social security affiliation. The collected data will be analyzed to identify relevant patterns and themes, with the goal of proposing recommendations to improve working conditions and worker safety in the cocoa sector in this region.