Precarious working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Nigeria informal economy
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Date
2014-01
Authors
Akinwale, A.A
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Abstract
Situations in the informal economy expose workers to dangers without
opportunity for hazard pay, thereby reflecting exploitation. Based on the Marxist
theory of conflict, this paper examines the extent of precarious working
conditions and exploitation of workers in the Nigerian informal economy. A
total of 500 respondents randomly selected from various informal economy
organizations participated in the survey conducted in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The findings revealed that the majority of the respondents (76.4%) had worked
for up to f ive years consecutively, followed by a few (18%), who had worked
for up to ten years consecutively. Their monthly income ranged from 10,000
naira ($60) to 80,000 naira ($485). Their mean monthly income was 30,000
naira ($182). Most of them (73.5%) worked for 10 to 12 hours daily, while
26.5% worked for seven to nine hours daily. The experience of low pay with
relatively long daily working hours shows the extent of exploitation in the
Nigerian informal economy. Several background characteristics, such as gender,
age, level of education, and marital status influenced the workers’ experience
of precarious working conditions and exploitation. Therefore, there is an
urgent need for a progressive workplace policy that can ensure decent work
and adequate protection for workers in the Nigerian informal economy.
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Keywords
Alienation , Exploitation , Hazards , Informal economy , Working conditions
Citation
Precarious working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Nigeria informal economy (Journal of Social Science Diliman) 10 (1), 117-146.