Occupational and environmental health risk associated with informal sector activities: selected case studies from West Africa
Basu, Niladri ; Ahoumènou Ayelo, Paul ; Djogbénou, Luc S. ; Kedoté, Marius ; Lawin, Herve ; Tohon, Honesty ; Oloruntoba, Elizabeth O. ; Adebisi, Nurudeen A. ; Cazabon, Danielle ; Fobil, Julius ; Robins, Thomas G. ; Fayomi, Benjamin
2016
26
2
253-270
case study ; hazard identification ; informal economy ; occupational health ; risk assessment ; occupational risks ; informal employment
Occupational safety and health
https://journals.sagepub.com/loi/NEW
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1048291116651726
English
Bibliogr.;Charts;Photos
"Most in the Economic Community of West African States region are employed in the informal sector. While the informal sector plays a significant role in the region's economy, policymakers and the scientific community have long neglected it. To better understand informal-sector work conditions, the goal here is to bring together researchers to exchange findings and catalyze dialogue. The article showcases research studies on several economic systems, namely agriculture, resource extraction, transportation, and trade/commerce. Site-specific cases are provided concerning occupational health risks within artisanal and small-scale gold mining, aggregate mining, gasoline trade, farming and pesticide applications, and electronic waste recycling. These cases emphasize the vastness of the informal sector and that the majority of work activities across the region remain poorly documented, and thus no data or knowledge is available to help improve conditions and formulate policies and programs to promote and ensure decent work conditions."
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