Working and health conditions reported by informal commerce workers

Abstract

This study had the objective of describing the socio-demographic and professional profile, as well as the working and health conditions of informal workers in the commerce of the municipality of Jequié, Bahia. It is an epidemiological, cross-sectional study, conducted with 434 informal commerce workers at the Supply Center of Jequié. The data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS 15.0. It was found that 54.6% were male, mean age was 42.7 years, 50.9% were married/in a stable relationship, and 44.6% had an incomplete first grade as education. The professional aspects showed that the difficulty in finding employment was also the most reported reason that led individuals to the performance of informal activities (39.9%). There was wide variation in average monthly income and working hours. According to the demand-control model analysis, most workers were defined as high-strain (28.1%). Low back pain and hypertension were the most self-reported morbidities. One hundred and forty individuals (32.3%) had suffered accidents. We suggest the strengthening of public occupational health policies aimed at informal workers.

Health Status and Occupational Health and Safety Access among Informal Workers in the Rural Community, Southern Thailand

“…This is in line with the findings from a previous study that showed informal workers often have low education. 1 , 18 , 19 The study by Rios and Nery 5 stated that low education reinforces the hypothesis that many workers in the informal sector may lacked the necessary skills to obtain healthy working skills and protection. Thailands’ the ninth national plan 20 promoted education, health, skills and a social welfare system, as well as the development of labor and the OHS standards in line with international standards for informal wokers.…”

“…Nevertheless, job insecurity and poor working conditions often leave informal workers particularly vulnerable to catastrophic health crises. 4 , 5 The workers’ health affects national productivity, increasing the nations’ economic value and reducing healthcare costs. 5 Legally, informal workers do not have the right to receive benefits equivalent to formal workers.…”

“… 4 , 5 The workers’ health affects national productivity, increasing the nations’ economic value and reducing healthcare costs. 5 Legally, informal workers do not have the right to receive benefits equivalent to formal workers. 6 , 7 As a result, rural informal workers, such as agriculture and self-employed workers, cannot access adequate occupational health and safety (OHS) measures as required by law and the social security program.…”

Condiciones ambientales, laborales, hábitos y estilos de vida relacionados con la hipertensión en trabajadores informales, Medellín

“…), más del 50,0 % de los trabajadores tenían entre 11 y 30 años en su oficio, evidencia que concuerda con lo reportado por el diagnóstico nacional de condiciones de trabajo y salud de las personas ocupadas en el sector informal de la economía (16). El promedio de ingresos mensuales para estos trabajadores estuvo por debajo del salario mensual legal vigente para Colombia en el año 2016 (US:197,8), similar al registrado por Ríos y Nery (22), para trabajadores informales en Brasil.…”