UNCARED-FOR JOBS: NEOLIBERAL REFORMS, FEMINIZATION AND THE PRECARIZATION OF WORKING CONDITIONS IN NURSING

I analyse the working conditions in the nursing sector in the city of Buenos Aires in order to show the relationship between feminization and the precarization of the workforce. First, neoliberal reforms undertaken in the health sector during the nineties decade are reviewed. In addition, I examine the category of work precarity, paying attention to the concept of a secondary workforce regarding females labor force participation. Finally, I consider the case of nursing workers to high-light the persistence of feminization and precariousness amongst them, despite the constant demand for professionals nationwide and the process of counter-reforms and union revitalization after 2003. I have chosen a qualitative methodology to examine official documents and also both local and foreigners' research data. I conclude that persisting representations of women and work are fundamental to understand the precarization of working conditions and the lack of socio-economic recognition in the nursing sector.