Employmentweb_low

eMployMent relations and health inequalities: pathways and MechanisMs
the worsening in working conditions which accompanies the
downsizing process, which includes increased levels of physical
work demands or job insecurity and lower job control, skill
discretion or worker participation (Kivimäki et al., 2000; Vahtera, et
al., 2004). long work hours are associated with a wide variety of
health effects, including work accidents and injuries,
musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, psychological ill-health,
unhealthy behaviours and outcomes related to cVd (Van der hulst,
2003; caruso & Waters, 2008). self-employment may also be seen
as a form of precarious employment, although there are many
internal differences, for instance, between independent contractors
and (small) business owners (Prottas & Thompson, 2006). supposed
advantages of greater autonomy are often counteracted by higher
work pressure and longer hours. a study on self-employed workers
in north carolina found elevated occupational fatality rates,
especially in retail and transportation industries. furthermore, poor
work organisation, poor hygiene, ergonomic hazards, dangerous
hand tools and exposure to chemicals were reported (Mirabelli,
loomis, & richardson, 2003).
Workers employed in the informal economy or informally
employed workers in formal sectors often lack control over their
working conditions. They can be deployed in the most dangerous
activities, imposing a high risk of occupational injuries and diseases,
while at the same time they are legally under-protected and
vulnerable to firing and high exploitation (ilo, 2006). awkward
postures and exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise, poor
sanitation, high workload, pesticides, violence and sexual assault
(iriart et al., 2006) are commonly observed in informal economy
settings, along with little training and supervision and limited
access to protective equipment.
forced labourers and slaves are exposed to the worst hazards.
They are forced into these adverse working conditions by the overexploitative
nature of the employer-worker relation (fassa, 2003;
Who, 2002). however, the invisibility of forced labour makes it a
difficult area to investigate. a greater effort should be made to
document working conditions in these settings. unacceptable
working conditions are one of the worst features of child labour.
exposure to hazards in the workplace is especially harmful for
children due to their increased vulnerability to biological and toxic
agents as a consequence of their immature immune system, lower
bone elasticity, strength, and capacity to support heavy workloads.
furthermore, tools and other equipment are often not designed to
be used by children. children working in agriculture are particularly
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