Subcontracting Systems and Working Conditions in the Building Construction Industry in Lagos, Nigeria
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Date
2018
Authors
Olusanya, O.A.
Adewumi, O.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
The mode and nature of employment is a major determinant of working conditions. Working conditions in subcontracting systems is a cause for concern on building construction sites. Therefore, this paper examines the relationship between subcontracting systems and working conditions of building construction workers in Lagos, Nigeria based on survey research design. The secondary and primary data used for the study were derived from systematic review of literature, and 908 respondents among informal sector building construction workers. Descriptive and correlational analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings show that building construction workers in Lagos State worked an average of 9 hours per day and 6 days a week. The findings indicate the prevalence of subcontracting with almost half of the respondents hired by subcontractors in the industry. The nature of employment contract for the workers was mostly verbal; their pay was inadequate to meet basic needs and they did not have flexibility on the job. Results also show a significant and inverse relationship between subcontracting systems and working conditions (r = -.107; P = 0.001). The study suggests that regulation of the practise of subcontracting by Government at the local level may result in improved working conditions. The paper, which is an important contribution to the body of work on subcontracting systems and working conditions suggests that verbal contracts should be enforceable to mitigate the challenges posed by subcontracting systems and facilitate better protection against adverse working conditions.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Building Construction , Informal Sector , Lagos State , Subcontracting Systems , Working Conditions , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES
Citation
Olusanya, Olasunmbo A. & Adewumi, Oluwakemi A. (2018). Subcontracting Systems and Working Conditions in the Building Construction Industry in Lagos, Nigeria. Unilag Journal of Humanities, 6(2), 177-193.