Occupational and Environmental Health Risks Associated with Informal Sector Activities—Selected Case Studies from West Africa. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Basu, Niladri; Ayelo, Paul Ahoumènou; Djogbénou, Luc S.; Kedoté, Marius; Lawin, Herve; Tohon, Honesty; Oloruntoba, Elizabeth O.; Adebisi, Nurudeen A.; Cazabon, Danielle; Fobil, Julius; Robins, Thomas; Fayomi, Benjamin
• Other Names: Lund Francie guest-editor.; Naidoo Rajen guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: New solutions. Volume 26:Number 2(2016:May)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 270
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: informal sector -- informal economy -- occupational health -- public health -- risk assessment -- hazard identification; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Industrial hygiene -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 613.62
• DOI: 10.1177/1048291116651726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-2911

Abstract

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.