Occupational Health Risks in Informal Sector Workers

Abstract

The informal sector workers make up a huge percentage of the world workforce, especially in the developing economies, but they are not considered well organized occupational health and safety systems. This research paper is an analysis of the character, magnitude, and factors of occupational health hazards of informal sector workers. It discusses how the inability to regulate the working conditions, the absence of social protection, and inadequate access to healthcare add to the increased vulnerability of these workers. The study applies a descriptive and analytic approach, relying on the secondary sources of data, reports, journals, and policy documents, as well as the selected case-based observations, to perceive the risks peculiar to the sector. The results obtained indicate that informal employees are commonly subjected to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic dangers and protection measures are usually not taken. The usual ones are respiratory, musculoskeletal, injuries, and long-term chronic diseases caused by the long-term exposure to dangerous conditions. These risks are also increased by the lack of legal enforcement, awareness, and employer responsibility. Moreover, socio-economic issues like poverty, workplace insecurity and illiteracy restrict the capacity of the workers to insist on safer working conditions or medical help. The research has identified the dire necessity of comprehensive policy interventions that would advance the occupational health services to the informal population. The community-based health programs, creation of awareness and inclusion of the informal workers in the national health and labour policies are the main action steps that can help to reduce these risks. The paper has concluded that enhancement of occupational health in the informal sector is not only a health issue in the community but also a health requirement in the sustainable economic growth and social equity.