Informal Sector Research Articles

“Be ready to pay because others are paying”: contested solid waste management transitions and charges in Accra’s open-air markets

ABSTRACT Approaches to solid waste management (SWM) in African cities have gone through various phases. Each phase is shaped by a range of factors, including population growth, urbanisation, government policies and political willingness to invest in SWM infrastructure as well as SWM services. In the Ghanaian context, the latter factor is said to be subject to public perceptions of SWM as a welfare service and hence the reluctance of people to pay for SWM services even though “others” are paying. In this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate how approaches to SWM in Ghana have transitioned over time and its consequences on willingness to pay for SWM services in the Kaneshie, Madina and Kantamanto open-air markets in Accra. Based on the study findings and the vital role that open-air markets (OAMs) play in African cities, a system of standardising SWM fees is recommended for SWM service providers in both formal and informal sectors.

Heat causes large earnings losses for informal-sector workers in India

Abstract Heat reduces labor productivity and output in formal manufacturing but little is known about its impacts on the earnings and welfare of workers in the informal sector that comprise 82\% of the labor force in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. This study reports the results from daily surveys of nearly 400 workers in two slums in Delhi for a month in the summer of 2019. Every degree Celsius increase in wet bulb temperature was associated with a fall in gross earnings of 13(± 3.5) percentage points, a fall in earnings net of work-related expenditure of 19(± 4.5) percentage points, an increase in the self-reported probability of sickness of the worker or a family member of 6(± 0.5) percentage points, and a decrease in the probability that a worker went to work of 2(± 0.5) percentage points. Net earnings were 40\% lower during the two heatwaves that occurred during the study period.Over 320 million informal-sector workers in low-income and lower-middle-income countries are currently exposed to temperatures similar to those observed in this study.

Challenges and Solutions for Labor Law Reform that Strengthens Workers' Rights in Vietnam

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal protections for bargaining rights in Vietnam, exploring the impacts of rapid economic development, globalization, and recent legislative reforms. The Đổi Mới reforms of the late 20th century marked a significant shift from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, leading to substantial changes in Vietnam’s labor laws. These reforms aimed to align Vietnam’s labor regulations with international standards, particularly concerning workers' bargaining rights. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the effectiveness of Vietnam’s Labour Code, the role of trade unions, and recent legislative updates through documentary research and expert interviews. Findings highlight both progress and challenges: while legal provisions for collective bargaining and the role of trade unions have seen improvements, significant weaknesses remain in enforcement mechanisms and coverage for informal workers. The research identifies practical issues, including the disparity between formal and informal sectors and the limited independence of trade unions. The study proposes recommendations to enhance bargaining rights protections, such as strengthening enforcement, expanding legal coverage to informal workers, increasing trade union autonomy, and improving legal aid services. These insights aim to inform policymakers, legal practitioners, and labor rights advocates on how to address existing gaps and improve the effectiveness of labor protections in Vietnam. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on labor rights in transitioning economies, offering strategies for advancing legal protections in response to ongoing economic and social changes.

Financial Performance Evaluation of Small Finance Banks: A CAMEL Analysis

Small finance banks (SFBs) are a special category of banks incepted by the Reserve Bank of India in 2015 to cater to the financial needs of the underserved population of the country with the aim of financial inclusion. They serve the priority sector and the unorganised sector of the country. This article analyses and evaluates the performance of these banks on the basis of various financial parameters such as capital adequacy, asset management, management quality, earning quality and liquidity derived from the CAMEL framework. Following a robust evaluation methodology, namely data envelopment analysis (DEA), a sample of all the SFBs operating in India to date is taken. As per the composite rating of CAMEL, results show that the majority of SFBs exhibit satisfactory performance. Utkarsh SFB Limited is ranked at the first position and is followed by Fincare SFB Limited on the second position. Jana SFB Limited stands at the last position amongst all the banks, preceded by ESAF SFB Limited. The results of DEA show average inefficiency among SFBs. The calculated efficiency scores of SFBs highlight that Capital SFB, Fincare SFB, Jana SFB, Shivalik SFB and Utkarsh SFB are the most efficient banks, with a technical efficiency score of 1. ESAF SFB has the lowest efficiency score. Scale inefficiency is the major reason for inefficiency. The study provides valuable insights to the authorities, managers and investors about the performance of these banks and gives them a future vision of the sustenance of these banks.

People as infrastructure resistive politics: Designing nostalgia and storytelling in Austin’s downtown

ABSTRACT Drawing on several months of informal observations and conversations in Austin, Texas, this paper explores how longtime clubbers maintain the nostalgia and meaning of local venues from newcomers who use these venues to enhance their social status. This work is based on a rich tradition of Global South and urban scholars, who demonstrate how disenfranchised city residents collaborate to elevate their standard of living and resist further encroachment of urban change in their spaces of living, forming informal economies, makeshift housing infrastructure, and social infrastructures. Adding to these works, I show how longtime patrons of music venues use what I call adhesive design: a resistive design technique where local patrons use stickers to embed venues with nostalgia and to authenticate long-term patrons and newcomers. This paper and my adhesive design concept contribute to a growing body of literature investigating collaborative resistance practices against gentrification and urban change, showing how nostalgia and storytelling are powerful tools to maintain social infrastructures.

The Impact of Retirement on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Chinese Formal Sector Workers

The Impact of Retirement on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Chinese Formal Sector Workers

Breaking barriers: how the rural poor engage in tourism activities without external support in selected Iranian villages

BackgroundThis study examines the participation of the rural poor in tourism activities without external support in selected Iranian villages, addressing the research gap on their direct involvement in formal and informal tourism businesses.MethodologyA qualitative approach was employed, utilizing face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 65 participants from three villages near Turan National Park in Shahrud, Iran. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsResults indicate that the rural poor actively engage in tourism. This participation encompasses seeking formal employment in tourism facilities, engaging in informal activities, and acquiring relevant knowledge and skills. The study highlights the significant potential of informal tourism businesses in increasing opportunities for low-income individuals, despite challenges such as lack of capital and legal protection.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that even without external assistance, the rural poor find ways to participate in and benefit from tourism activities. Both formal and informal tourism activities play important roles in poverty alleviation efforts. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to support the rural poor's participation in the tourism sector and harness tourism's potential for poverty reduction in rural areas.

Sociodemographic associated factors with non-disclosure of HIV sero-status to sexual partners in Maputo, Mozambique

The HIV prevalence in Maputo city is 16.2%. There is a lack of data describing associated factors with disclosure or non-disclosure of HIV-positive sero-status to sexual partners. This analysis describes associated factors of non-disclosure of HIV sero-status to sexual partners among people living with HIV (PLHIV) participating in a serostatus disclosure support program at three health facilities in Maputo, Mozambique. We used a cross-sectional design of PLHIV aged over 18 years. Datas were collected between December 2019 and September 2020. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated of non-disclosure of HIV sero-status. A total of 377 patients were enrolled in the HIV sero-status disclosure Program. Of these, nearly two-thirds (61.5%) were women, 52.9% had completed secondary school, 47.7% were 25–34 years old, 50.9% had informal employment with low income, and 73.2% were married. Univariate logistic regression model showed greater odds of non-disclosure among patients who had an employment contract with a maximum wage (Crude Odds Ratio [cOR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–3.55, p = 0.015); were single (cOR 3.85, 95% CI 2.22–6.69, p < 0.001); were living with parents (cOR 2.30, 95% CI 1.07–4.93, p = 0.033); received financial support for their monthly household expenses from parents or a close relative (cOR 7.15, 95% CI 2.19–23.36, p = 0.001); or brought a parent/close relative and/or a friend as a confidant during HIV care(cOR 3.17, 95% CI 1.74–5.76, p < 0.001; and cOR 5.97, 95% CI 1.57–22.66, p = 0.009, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression model showed: from parents/close relative and from partner (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 8.19, 95% CI 1.44–46.46, p = 0.018; and aOR 4.34, 95% CI 1.05–17.17, p = 0.043), respectively); in those who brought a parent/close relative and/or a friend as a confidant during HIV care (aOR 8.86, 95% CI 2.16–36.31, p = 0.002; and 195 aOR 21.68, 95% CI 3.02–155.87, p = 0.002, respectively). Non-disclosure of serostatus is a critical issue for HIV care and treatment programs, given that non-disclosure of HIV serostatus increases risk of HIV transmission. Understanding the factors associated with non-disclosure is crucial for designing strategies to address these factors and end the HIV epidemic by 2030. Our findings suggest that HIV serostatus disclosure programs might target the sociodemographic factors strongly associated with non-disclosure.

Exploring the impact of perceived early marriage on women’s education and employment in Bangladesh through a mixed-methods study

Child marriage negatively affects women’s socio-economic empowerment, particularly in education and employment. This study aimed to explore women’ perspectives on the timing of their marriages, considering their educational and employment status at the time. It also sought to identify factors influencing early married women’s perception of their marriages as timely. We analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data included a sample of 5,596 women aged 15–24 from the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Additionally, we collected qualitative data through six in-depth interviews, two focus group discussions, and 13 key informant interviews. We used a multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression model to examine the relationship between women’s formal employment, education, and child marriage. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Around 62% of the total women analysed reported their married occurred early with the mean age at marriage was 15.2 years. Approximately 55% of the total early married women believed their marriages occurred at the right time, especially among those who were employed at the time of their marriage. Among this subset, we also noticed a higher likelihood of discontinuing work and education following marriage. Qualitative findings revealed reasons behind this perception, such as escaping poverty, safety concerns, limited job prospects, and the impact of non-marital relationship and societal norms. While many early-married women perceived their marriage as timely, particularly those initially employed, this decision often coincides with a subsequent withdrawal from work and education. This underscores the pressing need for policies and programs aimed at educating women about the legal age for marriage and the negative consequences associated with early marriage while also equipping them with knowledge and resources for informed decision-making.

Enhancing Capacity to Comply with Sustainability Standards in the Milk Value Chain in East Africa: Challenges, Prospects, and Policy Implications

This paper addresses the need to contextualize sustainability standards and supply chain management in dairy value chains in East Africa, where milk perishability and limited cold storage significantly impact the industry. The study highlights the importance of localizing these standards, given the greater dependence on local supply chains following the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on milk standards literature and various interventions aimed at promoting systemic change, this review analyses the capacity of marginalized stakeholders in East Africa’s dairy value chains to meet sustainability standards, focusing particularly on the social dimensions of these standards. The findings indicate that compliance with sustainability and safety standards is predominantly restricted to formal dairy networks, which process less than 20 percent of milk produced in the region. Most milk sales occur through informal or unorganized markets, which face significant barriers to meeting international sustainability benchmarks. The review advocates for the alignment of international sustainability standards with the unique conditions of the informal markets dominating East Africa’s dairy sector. It suggests enhancing stakeholder capabilities and addressing regulatory barriers as necessary steps for improving compliance with these standards. The co-operative model is highlighted as a promising approach to integrating farmers and marginalized value chain actors into the formal sector, thereby facilitating incremental adoption of sustainability standards. The paper identifies strategic entry points for organizing and upgrading the supply chain, including capacity building, certification, and catalyzing farmer groups to compliance and productivity.

Effects of Stone Mining on Household Livelihoods in Londiani Sub-County

Globally, rural areas are dominated by households earning less than a dollar per day and engaging in subsistence agriculture to meet their basic needs. In Kenya, governments and non-governmental organizations have taken measures to promote agricultural activities and non-agricultural activities to alleviate poverty in rural areas. One of such none agricultural activity in Kenya is stone mining. Stone mining is an alternative source of livelihood for most rural households. The objective of the study was to establishment the effects of stone mining on household livelihoods in the Londiani, Sub-County. Primary data was collected by use of structured household questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews. Descriptive statistics was used during data analysis where percentages were computed and tabulated. The study revealed that: stone quarry activities have adverse effects on residents of Londiani sub-County, notably: respiratory diseases, chest and skin infections, eye problems, rashes, and body injuries. Stone mining has numerous benefits to the miners' livelihoods. The money generated from stone mining is used to pay school fees, purchase food for the family, clothing, and health services and even build shelter for the family. The study recommends for an audit of the number of households directly involved in quarrying activities with a view to extending credit facilities to boost mining sector. The findings are significant to policymakers in the county government of Kericho, and national governments in formulating policies aimed at streamlining informal sectors into mainstream economic activities

Impact of informal employment on individuals’ psychological well-being: microevidence from China

ObjectiveThe number of workers engaged in informal employment in China has reached 200 million individuals, constituting a substantial contribution to the pursuit of high-quality development and the attainment of stable employment objectives. Nevertheless, the psychological well-being of informal workers cannot be overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of informal employment on individuals’ psychological well-being.MethodsDrawing on data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey, this work employs ordinary least squares (OLS) models and instrumental variable analysis to empirically examine the impact of informal employment on the psychological well-being. Furthermore, different tests were utilised to analyse the mediating pathway through which informal employment affects the psychological well-being.ResultsInformal employment exhibits a significant negative impact on the psychological well-being, particularly among samples characterised by low educational levels, limited financial resources, and non-agricultural household registration. The exploration of the underlying mechanisms indicates that informal employment negatively affects the psychological well-being of workers through pathways that include reduced access to health entitlements, increased working hours, and decreased job satisfaction, particularly with the work environment.ConclusionA recommendation is proposed; namely, to further establish a social security system that caters to the needs of the informal employment population and supports and regulates the development of flexible employment forms, with the aim of protecting and enhancing the psychological well-being of the informal employment population.

Determinants of the Root Causes and Success Factors for the East African Community Regional Force Intervention in Managing Intractable Intrastate Conflicts in the DRC

Globally, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has had one of the most intractable conflicts. Several attempts, ranging from global, continental, and regional levels, have been made to address these conflicts with little success. The deployment of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in 2022, a period characterized by the emergence and intensification of the March 23 Movement (M23) — a rebel group that seeks to advance the interests of the Congolese Tutsi ethnic group within the DRC military and political system — was envisaged to change the fortunes regarding the conflicts in the DRC. This was because it would be the first localized attempt at intervention. However, since the intervention of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the DRC, there seems to have been little progress regarding the management of intractable conflicts. This paper sought to investigate the determinants of the success of the EACRF intervention in the management of the DRC’s intractable intra-state conflict. The study is underpinned by the interpretivism research philosophy, and the paper was anchored on Conflict Transformation Theory to sustain the study variables. The researcher adopted two research designs — descriptive survey and historical longitudinal research designs — to ensure valid research results. The target population was 297, from which a sample of 177 was derived, including EACRF ground personnel, military attachés, members of the local community, leaders of rebel groups, and refugees, who were sampled using census, simple random, snowballing, and purposive sampling techniques. The study findings established that EACRF's success was inhibited by a number of factors: 91 (60.66%) respondents acknowledged that institutional weaknesses in East African Community (EAC) states contribute to prolonged conflicts in the DRC. Additionally, 43 (28.66%) respondents stated that regional security competition, namely power rivalry, affects the management of the DRC conflict. Furthermore, 8 (5.33%) respondents cited the informal economy, and 8 (5.33%) respondents mentioned trans-border social networks as additional factors contributing to the complexity of internal conflict in the DRC. The paper concludes that the EACRF has had limited success due to several factors, thereby inhibiting its management of intractable intra-state conflicts in the DRC. The paper recommended that the EAC strategically focus on region-centric intervention in New Warfare in eastern DRC, especially in the Republics of Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, given that rebel groups originating from these nations frequently operate in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Strengthening good governance in these states, including the DRC, is necessary to quell ethnic unrest that fuels internal and regional conflicts within the EAC.

Insurance Services, Sustainability, and Transformation of Businesses in the Nigerian Informal Sector: A Conceptual Review

ABSTRACT This study explores the impact of insurance services and the sustainability of businesses in the Nigerian informal sector. The analysis relies on extant literature sourced from various sources to develop an understanding of the current trends of insurance services in the Nigerian informal sector and develop a suggested model for improved insurance service delivery in the Nigerian informal sector. Findings show that stakeholder commitment is necessary for better impact of insurance services in the sector. The conclusion emphasizes the possibility of business sustainability through consolidated insurance services among stakeholders in the sector. Part of the suggestion for further research is the need for a wider focus on insurance practices both in the formal and informal sectors of the Nigerian economy. This is coupled with an exploratory view on the impact of policy development on insurance support to business activities in the Nigerian informal sector.

Is G.A. Cohen’s Egalitarian Ethos Consistent with Unconditional Basic Income?

Abstract The egalitarian ethos, as formulated by G.A. Cohen, and the unconditional basic income are two proposals that a priori may seem incompatible. The reason is that Cohen’s ethos – aimed at reducing inequality without sacrificing efficiency or freedom- requires that individuals work hard in socially useful occupations without asking for any inequality-generating incentives. On the contrary, the UBI, as conceived by Van Parijs and van der Veen, consists of an income paid by the government to every full member of society regardless of their willingness to contribute to society in the form of work. In short, the ethos includes a productive requirement while the UBI has an unconditional character. However, if we introduce an absolute level of affluence above what occupational autonomy takes precedence over efficiency and if we broaden the range of socially useful contributions beyond formal employment, the tension between the egalitarian ethos and UBI will be alleviated.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Business Sector in Tikapur City, Nepal

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Business Sector in Tikapur City, Nepal

An analysis of the contribution of the informal milk market to nutrition in Kenya

BackgroundThe dairy sector in Kenya is an important part of the agricultural GDP of the country. Its legal framework was reformed in 2004 to address the economic importance that the informal sector (i.e. trading on raw milk) had for smallholders’ producers. However, this reform was accused of being a pro-poor policy instead of focusing on the development of the formal dairy sector. In recent years, there has been pressure to go back to the pre-2004 regulatory system and to illegalize the raw milk trade. An aspect that has been absent from the discussion is the contribution that the informal market has to households’ nutrition. The contribution of this paper is to address this shortcoming using the most recent Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey for 2015–16.ResultsThe results indicate that the rural annual milk consumption (70.2 L) surpasses that of urban areas (68.8 L). These values are different to those found in the literature. County consumption varies depending on the availability of milk, which appears associated to the production capacity and the climate of the region. However, regardless of the region unpacked milk is the most consumed dairy item representing 72 per cent of the total countrywide; 84 per cent of the rural total and 55 per cent of the urban area.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the sector provides significant nutrition especially to poor economic groups. Therefore, attempting to ban the informal sector would have negative consequences for Kenya's food security, impacting mostly on the nutritional security of low-income households. In addition, the nutritional aspects that the informal dairy sector provides need to be considered alongside the economic ones in future debates regarding regulatory reforms of the sector.

The importance of the informal food economy to food access and security: An examination of the Western Isles of Scotland

In many countries the informal food economy (IFE) plays an essential role in ensuring food access and security. In addition, IFEs can improve choice, have a positive impact upon diet as well as generate household income and employment. While studies have primarily focused upon the role of IFEs in developing economies, their importance within more developed rural markets warrants further attention. This paper draws upon key learnings from the existing literature and examines how IFEs operate within a developed, rural economy. Framed within a social economy framework, it examines the role and function of IFEs across the Western Isles of Scotland. Despite being part of an advanced market economy, food access and security in this region has previously been identified as problematic for particular consumer groups and communities. The research identifies that due to the continued expansion of the formal retail sector and the growth of on-line delivery, food access has become less of an issue for many island residents. This is not to suggest that IFEs are inconsequential. Apart from their role in strengthening social and community linkages, for certain segments of the island population they continue to play a key role in providing food access. The research also identified an increasing reliance upon a small number of national retail chains. This suggests, that in future, food security in remote and rural communities could become increasingly vulnerable to market externalities.

A Mobile based Decision Support System for Postural Evaluation of Agricultural Activities with Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

Agriculture is an unorganized sector and it is a very high drudgery prone profession due to the absence of awareness and entry of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farming activities and operations are carried out by farm workers in the agriculture sector, where they are subject to very poor working conditions which can lead to physical and mental stress. Workers in agriculture experience musculoskeletal disorders in various body parts throughout various agricultural operations. These problems are caused by heavy work loads, repetitive movements, uncomfortable postures, prolonged periods of time spent in neutral or unsupported positions and the use of conventional equipment and implements that are not ergonomically built. The ergonomic risk factors present in the workplace can be examined using various evaluation instruments to ascertain the workers abilities and drawbacks. The work-related risks are measured using the scientifically validated posture assessment instruments. Rapid entire body assessment (REBA) is a technique that assess a person’s complete body including wrists, fore arms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs and knees. It uses a systematic process to find the postural musculoskeletal disorders and risks associated with the job tasks. A mobile application is developed to assess the agricultural activities on the basis of physiological analysis and postural analysis using REBA ergonomics technique. The application evaluates the drudgery involved in the agricultural work by using physical assessment followed by postural ergonomics methods and provide recommendation of correct posture to avoid developing musculoskeletal disorders.

The Role of Plastic Recycling Shops in Khulna City Within A Circular Economy Framework

Plastics are widely used in many industries, leading to a growing plastic waste problem. To address this, a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is required. In Bangladesh, the waste management sector predominantly relies on the informal sector, which remains underappreciated and inadequately supported. This study evaluates the environmental, economic, social, and urban development dimensions of recycling shops within the informal sector, highlighting their potential to alleviate ecological burdens, enhance energy efficiency, and generate local employment. A comprehensive methodology encompassing field surveys, environmental and economic benefit calculations, and fuzzy logic analysis are employed. The findings demonstrate that recycling shops, through a circular economy approach, substantially mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter, save energy, and conserve landfill space. Among the 35 recycling shops examined, 22.86% were identified as low-volume recyclers, 48.57% as medium-volume recyclers, and 28.57% as high-volume recyclers, each group exerting correspondingly low, medium, and high positive impacts on the environment and society. Collectively, these shops manage 6.68 tons of PET bottle labels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 509.35 MTCE, prevent 202,186.9 tons of litter, save 5,728.1 m³ of landfill space, and conserve 406.8 barrels of oil monthly. Additionally, they employ 427 individuals. Expanding recycling shop operations, exploring new recycling technologies, and examining supportive policies are crucial for improving Khulna City's plastic waste management and overall sustainability. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 31-43