Occupational Safety In The Urban Informal Sector Of Gaborone Botswana A Situational Analysis

Abstract The informal sector constitutes an employment refuge for individuals who may not have formal employment and those that seek to earn an extra income. The sector is therefore becoming the realm of employment for the majority of urban dwellers in developing countries who apply their energies in semi-skilled jobs. However seldom do developing countries monitor the activities of this sector and or the working conditions of those employed in this sector. Safety is increasingly becoming more important in the worlds dynamic environment. This study analyzed the working conditions of the urban informal sector of Gaborone. The purpose was to assess the working conditions of different survey research methods interviews and focused group discussions with the owners and employees in the trade. The results depict that the level of education amongst workers is high but however safety awareness is not being practiced and were it is being practiced standards are compromised.