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CULTIVATING SECURITY: COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL LABOR
STANDARDS IN ARGENTINA AND COLOMBIA
CULTIVANDO LA SEGURIDAD: ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO
DE LAS NORMAS LABORALES AGRÍCOLAS EN ARGENTINA
Y COLOMBIA
Herminio Pabón Trujillo
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Cúcuta
Margarita Rosa Triana Sánchez
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Cúcuta
Miguel Eduardo Posada
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Cúcuta
Teresa Isabel Peña
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Cúcuta
Luis Alberto Diaz Diaz
Escuela Superior de Administración Pública ESAP, Cúcuta
pág. 7632
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v9i1.16432
Cultivating Security: Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Labor
Standards in Argentina and Colombia
Herminio Pabón Trujillo1
herminio.pabon.t@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5636-4813
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia- Cúcuta
Margarita Rosa Triana Sánchez
margarita.triana@unisiomon.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8775-7510
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Colombia- Cúcuta
Miguel Eduardo Posada
miguel.posadah@unisimon.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8918-1770
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Colombia-Cúcuta
Teresa Isabel Peña
tpenacorred@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3004-7819
Corporación Universitaria Minuto De Dios
Colombiana cuta
Luis Alberto Diaz Diaz
Luisa.diazp@esap.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7007-2945
Escuela Superior de Administración Pública
ESAP
Colombia-Cúcuta
1
Autor principal
Correspondencia: herminio.pabon.t@uniminuto.edu.co
pág. 7633
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The main objective is to carry out a bibliographic review. Where we seek to know aspects
related to issues that influence the protection of collaborators Argentina and Colombia are two Latin
American countries with economies strongly dependent on the agricultural sector, although each faces
unique challenges related to sustainability, productivity and safety in agricultural work. In Argentina,
agriculture has historically been a fundamental pillar, with production of wheat. However, the country
faces challenges in terms of land concentration, sustainability, and job security in the agricultural sector.
Argentine rural workers are exposed to what may compromise the safety of workers, agrochemicals and
extreme weather conditions. This has generated the need to implement rigorous agricultural safety
protocols. On the other hand, Colombia, with its rich agricultural diversity, stands out in wheat
production. Despite its success in the international market, the country faces problems of inequality in
access to land and challenges related to violence in rural areas. context of the safety of Colombian
agricultural workers are also exposed to risks from the use of agrochemicals, extreme agricultural
working conditions. Despite legislative progress, effective implementation remains a challenge,
especially in areas where ensuring employees understand their rights is prevalent. Both countries,
although different in their agricultural contexts and structures, share the challenge of protecting the
safety and well-being of employees. Policies must be adapted to better protect agricultural workers,
promoting Improving working conditions involves ensuring adequate equipment, continuous training
and an environment free of health risks, and addressing the challenges of sustainability and climate
change. Argentina and Colombia have great potential in their agricultural sectors, but they need to adopt
a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, the development of effective public
policies and the strengthening of labor security, in order to achieve a more inclusive, sustainable and
resilient. Methodology: For this research analysis, a bibliographic and documentary review approach is
constructed, identifying the main differences between Argentina and Colombia in relation to the
agricultural economy. This approach allows us to examine the policies, regulations and working
conditions in both countries, with a specific focus on agricultural workers. Results: It was concluded
that both Argentina and Colombia have current legal regulations to prevent accidents and protect the
well-being of agricultural employees, promoting safe work environments for workers in the sector. Both
nations have established regulatory frameworks that seek to guarantee and promote a safe and healthy
work environment from the use of agrochemicals, heavy machinery and the extreme conditions of the
agricultural environment.
Keywords: agriculture, health safety, work, climate change
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Cultivando La Seguridad: análisis comparativo de las normas laborales
agrícolas en Argentina y Colombia
RESUMEN
Introducción: Se tiene como objetivo principal realizar una revisión bibliográfica. Donde se busca
conocer aspectos relacionados con temas que influyan en la protección de los colaboradores Argentina
y Colombia son dos países de América Latina con economías fuertemente dependientes del sector
agrícola, aunque cada uno enfrenta desafíos únicos relacionados con la sostenibilidad, la productividad
y la seguridad en el trabajo agrícola. En Argentina, la agricultura ha sido históricamente un pilar
fundamental, con una producción de, trigo, Sin embargo, el país se enfrenta a desafíos en términos de
concentración de tierras, sostenibilidad, seguridad laboral en el sector agrícola. Los trabajadores rurales
argentinos están expuestos a que pueden comprometer la seguridad de los trabajadores, agroquímicos y
condiciones climáticas extremas. Esto ha generado la necesidad de Implementar protocolos de seguridad
rigurosos agrícola. Por otro lado, Colombia, con su rica diversidad agrícola, se destaca en la producción
del trigo. A pesar de su éxito en el mercado internacional, el país enfrenta problemas de desigualdad en
el acceso a la tierra y desafíos relacionados con la violencia en zonas rurales. contexto de la seguridad
de los trabajadores agrícolas colombianos también están expuestos a riesgos del uso de agroquímicos,
agrícola condiciones trabajo extremas. A pesar de los avances legislativos, la implementación efectiva
sigue siendo un reto, especialmente en las zonas donde prevalece garantizar que los empleados
comprendan sus derechos. Ambos países, aunque diferentes en sus contextos y estructuras agrícolas,
comparten el desafío Proteger la seguridad y bienestar de los empleados. Las políticas deben adaptarse
para proteger mejor a los trabajadores agrícolas, promoviendo Mejorar las condiciones de trabajo
implica garantizar equipos adecuados, una formación continua y un ambiente libre de riesgos para la
salud, y enfrentando los desafíos de sostenibilidad y cambio climático. Argentina y Colombia tienen un
gran potencial en sus sectores agrícolas, pero necesitan adoptar un enfoque integral que combine la
innovación tecnológica, el desarrollo de políticas públicas efectivas y el fortalecimiento de la seguridad
laboral, a fin de lograr un sector agrícola más inclusivo, sostenible y resiliente. Objetivo: evaluar su
impacto y proponer soluciones efectivas para mejorar la seguridad y el bienestar en el entorno laboral
comparar dinámicas de agricultura en Argentina y Colombia, con un enfoque en la seguridad y salud en
el trabajo, y cómo estas impactan en las economías agrícolas de ambos países. Se busca identificar las
características clave de sus sectores agrícolas, innovación y equidad, así como los problemas específicos
relacionados la seguridad laboral. Además, se pretende explorar con oportunidades, de protección de
seguridad de los trabajadores, para fomentar un desarrollo agrícola más inclusivo, sostenible y adaptado
a las realidades cambiantes del contexto global y climático. Al analizar estos aspectos, se pretende
identificar buenas prácticas y lecciones que puedan ser aplicadas en ambos países para mejorar las
condiciones laborales y garantizar un entorno de trabajo más seguro y saludable en el sector agrícola.
Metodología: Para este análisis investigación se construye un enfoque de revisión bibliográfica y
documental, identificar las principales diferencias Argentina, Colombia en relación a la economía
agrícola, Este enfoque permite examinar las políticas, normativas y condiciones laborales en ambos
países, con un enfoque específico de los trabajadores agrícolas. Resultados: Se pudo concluir, que tanto
Argentina, Colombia cuentan con una normatividad legal vigente para prevenir accidentes y proteger el
bienestar de los empleados agrícolas, promoviendo ambientes laborales seguros para los trabajadores
del sector. Ambas naciones han establecido marcos regulatorios que buscan garantizar y promover un
ambiente de trabajo seguro y saludable del uso de agroquímicos, maquinaria pesada y las condiciones
extremas del entorno agrícola.
Palabras Claves: agricultura, salud seguridad, trabajo, cambios climáticos
Artículo recibido 13 enero 2025
Aceptado para publicación: 16 febrero 2025
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INTRODUCTION
The International Labor Organization (ILO), through Convention 155 concerning Occupational Safety
and Health (1981), establishes international standards to promote safe and healthy working conditions
in all sectors, including agriculture. This convention aims to reduce occupational hazards and protect
workers' health by advocating effective management of occupational safety through the creation of
national occupational health and safety policies. Through this agreement, employers are obliged to
identify hazards in the workplace, assess risks and take preventive measures. It also promotes the active
participation of workers in identifying risks and implementing safety measures. With the ratification of
this convention, countries such as Argentina and Colombia have managed to improve the safety of their
workers.
Their labor protection systems, minimizing risks related to agricultural work and promoting continuous
safety training.
Law 19,587 obliges employers to ensure safe working conditions, to provide adequate protective
equipment, and to conduct regular inspections to identify and mitigate possible occupational hazards. It
also establishes the creation of occupational safety and health committees and promotes continuous
training of workers on preventive and emergency measures. Ministry, Agriculture, Colombia.
Resolution 2495 of 2018. This resolution establishes standards for occupational safety in the Colombian
agricultural sector to support the safety of agricultural workers rural areas. The resolution includes
guidelines on the identification of specific field hazards, effective disease and accident prevention
programs, and the provision of adequate medical services for workers. Through this regulation, the
Ministry of Agriculture seeks to improve work strategies in the agricultural sector and promote safer
work practices for workers, especially in harvesting activities, machinery handling and exposure to
agrochemicals.
Analysis of Working Conditions in Agriculture in Colombia. Report of the National Planning
Department, 2020. This study conducted by the National Planning Department aims to identify the main
challenges and opportunities in improving working conditions in Colombian agriculture. the scarce
training in occupational safety and the risks associated with the use of pesticides and heavy machinery.
It also highlights the need to strengthen public policies to guarantee the health and safety of farm
pág. 7636
workersand the importance of promoting collaboration between authorities, employers and workers to
improve labor standards in this sector.
Workplace Safety Law in Argentina, Law 20.744 (Labor Code), 1974. This law regulates working
conditions in general, including the agricultural sector. Article 207 establishes that employers must
provide safe working conditions and medical services. The law also imposes on agricultural companies
the obligation to carry out periodic evaluations of the hazards faced by workers, in addition to ensuring
the implementation of the law to prevent occupational accidents, which contributes to reducing risks
and increasing productivity and improving the quality of working life in the field. This background
shows the evolution of safety and health policies in the agricultural sector in Argentina and Colombia,
where various laws and resolutions have been implemented in order to create a safer work environment
for agricultural workers. Despite progress, challenges remain, especially in terms of effective
implementation of regulations and continuous improvement of working conditions in this key sector of
the economy in both countries.
METHODOLOGY
The present study, of a bibliographic and descriptive nature, was carried out through a systematic review
of documentary sources from Argentina and Colombia, with a specific focus on agriculture and its
impact on the economy of both countries. The methodology consisted of the collection and analysis of
a wide variety of documents including laws, regulations, government reports, academic studies and
scientific articles. Reliable sources were reviewed, such as the official websites of the governments of
Argentina and Colombia, university repositories, databases such as Google Scholar, as well as
specialized publications in the field of agriculture and occupational health.
In order to search for information, strategic keywords such as “agriculture”, “occupational health”,
“labor conditions”, “workers' welfare”, “occupational safety”, “agricultural sector”, among others, were
used. These keywords were essential to guide the search for relevant documents related to labor welfare
and safety issues in the agricultural context of both countries.
In order to ensure a broader and more effective coverage, covering both local and international sources,
with the objective of guaranteeing a clear and accurate understanding of the information.
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This approach made it possible to gather a diverse and exhaustive database, which served for the
construction of the comparative analysis between labor and occupational health practices in the
agricultural sector in Argentina and Colombia, thus providing a comprehensive view of the progress and
challenges in this field.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this bibliographic study it was possible to determine that, in both Argentina and Colombia, agriculture
plays a fundamental role in their economies, being an important source of employment, development
and foreign exchange generation. In Argentina, agriculture represents one of the main economic
activities, with products such as wheat occupying
In Argentina, agriculture represents one of the main economic activities, with products such as wheat
occupying prominent positions in international markets. Argentine agriculture is regulated by various
laws and policies, one of the most relevant being the National Seeds and Cultivars Law, which regulates
the marketing and protection of seeds in the country. In addition, the Argentine agricultural sector
benefits from subsidies, credits and technical assistance through government programs such as the Rural
Development Program and the Agroindustrial Plan 2020-2023, which seek to improve the
competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture in the country. In Colombia, agriculture also has a
crucial importance in the economy, being highlighted globally. The country has a legal framework that
regulates agricultural activity, highlighting Law 160 of 1994, promoting job security, supporting small
producers, guidelines for the development of rural areas. This law promotes access to land and
encourages the development of productive projects in the agricultural sector. In addition, Colombia has
implemented Law 1776 of 2016, which establishes measures for the promotion of organic agriculture,
favoring the safety productivity of our workers.
Regarding occupational health in the agricultural sector, both countries face similar challenges. In
Argentina, workers are exposed in their jobs due to the use of agrochemicals, heavy machinery and
extreme weather conditions. Argentina's safety system seeks to protect rural workers by requiring
agricultural companies to offer safe conditions and provide insurance to cover occupational accidents.
However, challenges remain in the implementation of these regulations, especially in remote rural areas.
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In Colombia, occupational safety in agriculture is also a major concern. Rural workers in Colombia face
risks due to the use of agrochemicals, exposure to climatic factors such as high temperatures and heavy
rains, and injuries resulting from the use of agricultural machinery. At the legislative level. The country
has a system in place and establishes that all workers in the workers must be affiliated to an Occupational
Risk Management Company (ARL). This law seeks to protect workers in the agricultural sector from
occupational accidents. It was observed that in both countries there are efforts by the private sector and
adapt to the changes that comes to have for each worker. In Argentina, some agricultural companies,
such as those operating in the sector, have implemented safety management systems for our workers,
provide strategies in the and to be carried out to improve in the workplace, the proper use of machinery.
However, small and medium-sized farms often lack the resources to implement these safety measures.
In Colombia, large agricultural companies, particularly in production, have taken similar measures to
ensure the protection and well-being of their workers. These include training programs in occupational
safety, the use of personal protective equipment and sustainable agricultural practices. However, in
small farms and communities, workers are often exposed to high occupational risks at work, as many of
them do not have good working conditions. Regarding the most prevalent risks in the agricultural sector
in both countries, it was found that hazards related to agrochemicals are a common concern. In
Argentina, exposure to agricultural pesticides and herbicides, generating respiratory diseases,
dermatological disorders and fertility problems. In Colombia, agricultural workers are also at risk to the
same hazards due to the extensive use of agrochemicals in production. Colombian authorities have
begun to implement stricter regulations on the use of these products, but the lack of effective control in
the areas remains a major challenge.
As for physical risks, workers in both Argentina and Colombia are exposed to extreme temperature
conditions and long working hours, which increases the risk of physical exhaustion, heat stroke and
dehydration. In addition, the use of heavy machinery and work in irregular terrain increases the
incidence of accidents. injuries, such as falls, musculoskeletal injuries, and being run over. The
incidence of accidents with hand and finger injuries was 70% in Colombia and 30% in Argentina. It is
estimated that a large number of workers have suffered hand and finger lesions as a result of their work.
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Both Argentina and Colombia face significant challenges in protecting the health and safety of workers
in agriculture. Despite having legal frameworks to regulate occupational safety, the effective
implementation of these regulations varies by region and farm size. Large agricultural enterprises have
made progress in implementing health and safety measures, while small farms and more remote rural
areas remain vulnerable to occupational hazards. It is crucial that both countries strengthen oversight of
existing laws and increase training and resources to improve working conditions in the agricultural
sector
Figure 1: Impact of the Agricultural Sector Occupational Health and Safety in Argentina and Colombia.
Fuente: Pabón,H.(2025)
It can be seen in the graph that the agricultural sector in Colombia occupies approximately 60% of the
labor informality in the Colombian agricultural sector is very high, which makes it difficult to compile
accurate statistics. In Argentina, the lack of resources in rural areas makes it difficult to enforce safety
and health regulations effectively. It is estimated that a large proportion of rural workers (around 40%
or more) may be working in unregulated or informal conditions, which further complicates the collection
of accurate occupational safety data.
60%
40%
Colombia Argentina
Impact of the Agricultural Sector Occupational
Safety and Health Argentina vs Colombia
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Figure 2: Occupational accidents in the agricultural sector Occupational Safety and Health in Argentina
and Colombia.
Fuente: Pabón,H.(2025)
It is evident in the graph that the % of hand injuries in work accidents in the agricultural sector in
Colombia with 70%, Argentina with 30%. It is estimated that a large part of the workers have suffered
hand and finger injuries as a result of their work.
CONCLUSIONS
With this work we were able to identify that both in Argentina and Colombia we were able to show the
percentages in each country, and with this we were able to give some indications, Increase the proper
use of personal protective equipment (such as gloves, boots, goggles and masks) in 100% of agricultural
workers in their jobs in Argentina and Colombia Promoting continuous training and the proper use of
personal protective equipment is key to reduce injuries and occupational diseases in the workplace.
Implementation of Mental Health protocols: Establish prevention and mental health care policies,
minimizing work-related stress. Organize periodic medical check-ups for workers, focused on the
prevention of occupational diseases, with the objective of preventing illnesses for our workers
Optimize ergonomic conditions in agricultural work: Improve ergonomics in cultivation, harvesting and
packaging tasks, reducing absenteeism due to musculoskeletal injuries Development of occupational
risk monitoring systems: Create technological platforms to continuously monitor working conditions in
the field, in order to intervene quickly and reduce occupational accidents and illnesses by 30%.
70%
30%
colombia Argentina
Occupational hand accidents in the agricultural
sector Safety and Health Colombia vs Argentina
pág. 7641
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