labor-intensive work

[ˈleɪbər ɪnˈtɛnsɪv wɜrk]
noun phrasepl: labor-intensive works
trabalho intensivo em mão de obra
1. Work or production that requires a large amount of human effort and workers relative to capital investment, with labor costs being the primary expense
Agriculture has traditionally been labor-intensive work, requiring many hands during harvest season.
A agricultura tem sido tradicionalmente um trabalho intensivo em mão de obra, exigindo muitas mãos durante a colheita.
2. Jobs or tasks that depend more on human manpower than on machinery or automation
Garment manufacturing in developing countries remains labor-intensive work.
A fabricação de roupas em países em desenvolvimento continua sendo um trabalho intensivo em mão de obra.
In Brazil, the concept of 'trabalho intensivo em mão de obra' is particularly relevant in discussions of agricultural work, domestic services, and manufacturing sectors. The term reflects economic development discussions, especially regarding outsourcing to Brazil. In the USA, this phrase is common in economic policy debates, minimum wage discussions, and discussions about automation's impact on employment.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
labor-heavy workmanpower-intensive workmanual laborhands-on worktrabalho que requer muita mão de obra
Antonyms / Antônimos
capital-intensive workautomated workmachine-dependent worktrabalho automatizado

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalho intensivo em mão de obra
Standard term used throughout Brazil in economic and industrial contexts
Rio de Janeiro
trabalho que exige muita mão de obra
More colloquial, descriptive phrasing common in daily speech
São Paulo
trabalho intensivo de mão de obra
Business and industrial terminology preferred in São Paulo's commercial context
Portugal
trabalho com muita intensidade de mão de obra
Portuguese variation, sometimes using 'intensidade' instead of 'intensivo'

Related Words

automationmechanizationworkforcemanual laborproductivityoutsourcingmão de obraeficiência

Related Idioms & Phrases

get your hands dirty
hard graft
break your back
put in the elbow grease
trabalho braçal
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