vital worker
[/ˈvaɪtəl ˈwɜːrkər/]
nounpl: vital workers
trabalhador essencial
1. A person employed in an essential service or industry that is critical to the functioning of society and cannot be suspended, even during emergencies or crises
During the pandemic, healthcare workers were recognized as vital workers who had to continue their duties.
Durante a pandemia, os profissionais de saúde foram reconhecidos como trabalhadores essenciais que tiveram que continuar suas atividades.
2. An employee in a sector considered indispensable for public welfare, safety, or economic stability
Vital workers include doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and utility workers.
Os trabalhadores essenciais incluem médicos, enfermeiros, policiais, bombeiros e funcionários de serviços públicos.
The term 'vital worker' gained significant prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic in both the United States and Brazil. In Brazil, 'trabalhador essencial' became widely used in government decrees and public discourse to designate workers who were exempt from lockdown restrictions. The term reflects a societal acknowledgment of workers in healthcare, sanitation, food production, security, and utilities, highlighting both their importance and their exposure to risk. This terminology has become part of standard vocabulary in discussions about labor rights and emergency preparedness.
NYC Slang
essential / key worker (used in NYC and broader US context, especially during COVID-19)
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