Occupational Trajectories of Immigrant Workers in Brazil: Unequal Pathways

This study sought to analyze the occupational habits of immigrant workers in the formal Brazilian labor market from a sociological perspective. It was understood that a study on occupation should observe professional and employment history, which may include an analysis over time of workers in the same profession or in periods of professional mobility. In order to understand occupational trajectories and related aspects, this study used data that were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys with immigrant workers who were employed in the Brazilian formal labor market. The interviews and surveys revealed a strong polarization among the immigrant workers present in Brazil—while a small part holds highly skilled occupations, the majority participate at the base of the productivity hierarchy.