The Changed World of Work

Abstract

The majority of workers in the global south, and increasing numbers in the north, work in the informal economy. Most are de facto or de jure excluded from services and regulation of occupational health and safety. Significant recent improvements in classification of status of informal employment have enabled improved labor force data; it has not been matched by progress with data collection on work-related risks, hazards, and health outcomes for informal workers. This special edition describes some of the risks and hazards, but focuses on strategies and interventions—such as taking occupational health and safety services to markets where informal workers operate, legal reforms, and designing appropriate equipment. The diversity of occupations and work places (many in public space) mean that new stakeholders such as local municipalities, informal workers associations and unions, as well as health professionals, need to be considered when striving for a more inclusive occupational health and safety.