The relationship between work and education in overcoming permanent unemployment

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research-action project conducted from 2009 to 2011 along with the Unemployed Workers’ Movement (MTD, acronym in Portuguese), in five districts of Pelotas city, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It aims to contribute to this organization so that it continues the educational process and the organization aiming at more effective solutions to the issue of unemployment. To achieve this goal, the theoretical framework of this paper involves authors who have debated the relationship between work and education, such as Marx, Fernandes, Frigotto, Antunes and Saviani. Its theoretical contribution comprises the following: (a) the categories of dependent capitalism and unequal and combined development; (b) the relationship between work and education. At the end of the analysis of the categories that emerged throughout this study, it is concluded that the Movement should strengthen an educational process via work and organization, taking into consideration the public sphere at its three levels, in order to change the space and site conditions: housing, sanitation and health, and ultimately the relationship between work and education. This line of action should be strong and permanent. The workers’ organization in cooperatives, associations and production groups is essential for them to resist the widespread problem of unemployment in Brazil.

Keywords: work-education relationship, social movement, permanent unemployment.