This Palgrave Pivot provides an overview of rural labour relations in different regions of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Based on rich ethnographic research, through interviews with a long list of rural workers and union members, among others, the study highlights the toughness faced by salaried workers, who deal with difficulties in union representation and, above all, suffer different types of exploitation. Using a systemic approach, this book connects rural workers, union representation, and labour regulation to examine where society has failed and what can be done to protect rural workers.

This book presents the Brazilian natural space and environment. It describes the main environmental aspects of Brazil in relation to geology, climate, geomorphology, vegetation, fauna, water resources and environmental issues. The book presents a beautifully illustrated overview of the physical geography of the Amazon Forest, the central Brazilian savannah (Cerrado), the Cocais Forest, the semi-arid area (Caatinga), the Atlantic Forest area, the Pantanal (Brazilian wetlands), the Auraucárias Plateau, the Pampas area (South grasslands) and the Brazilian Coastal Environment (beaches and mangroves).