The Gap to Achieve the Sustainability of the Workforce in the Chilean Forestry Sector and the Consequences over the Productivity of System

Abstract

The forestry sector is facing a number of challenges that having impact of the sustainability of the workforce and over productivity of the system. This study examines the relationship between the working conditions in the forestry sector and the workers. In addition examines the strategies the Chilean forestry companies are using. Finally, using two examples identify the consequence over the productivity of the system. The overall objective of this study was to investigate the impact of working conditions on the workforce in the Chilean forestry sector and over the productivity of the system. The study involved data collection from 350 forestry workers, both Chilean forest companies and contractors companies along with interviews with managers and experts in the area of forestry, ergonomics, working conditions and health and safety and the study cases. The findings indicate that even though working conditions in the Chilean forestry sector have been improve, they continue to have a negative impact on workers in terms of occupational health, market attractiveness and ageing population. Strategies that forestry organizations have implemented these are not enough to solve the problems mentioned before. The strategies are focuses on the prevention of accidents rather the OH problems and none of the strategies pays attention to the wellbeing of the workforce and the development of resources, aspects the workers demand. Finally, due the problem mentioned above, a negative impact over the productivity of the systems, based on examples related with pruning and harvesting.