EXTENDING EMPLOYMENT INJURY AND DISEASE PROTECTION TO NON-TRADITIONAL AND INFORMAL ECONOMY WORKERS: THE QUEST FOR A PRINCIPLED FRAMEWORK AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES

Abstract

Non-traditional and informal economy workers often work outside the sphere of a formal employment relationship and are therefore by and large excluded from occupational injuries and disease protection. It is argued that innovative approaches, set within a principled and policy framework, need to be considered from a comparative perspective in order to extend this protection to these workers. These approaches refer to an appropriate definitional or conceptual widening of coverage; relevant human rights, international standards and standard-setting considerations; alternative institutional arrangements and appropriate regulatory responses; an increased role for governments and innovative funding options; and alternative prevention, rehabilitation/re-integration and compensation modalities. It is further argued that the South African occupational health and safety and workers compensation regimes could benefit richly from the comparative experiences and perspectives in this regard.