Experts: Health, safety key to informal sector growth
DAR ES SALAAM: TRADERS in Tanzania’s informal sector have been urged to prioritise health and safety in their workplaces, as it is crucial to improving their well-being and contributing to the national economy.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 2022 data, the informal sector in Tanzania contributes over 50 per cent of the country’s GDP and employs more than 80 per cent of the workforce.
Specifically, informal workers make up 71.8 per cent of the national labour force. Despite its vital role in the economy, the sector continues to demonstrate low compliance with occupational health and safety standards in daily operations.
Speaking at the International Symposium on Occupational Health, the Director General of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), Dr Jerome Materu, emphasised the importance of embedding health and safety practices within the informal sector to ensure its sustainability and the well-being of its workers.
The symposium, organised by the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), was held under the theme: “Occupational Health and Safety and Global Health Challenges: Strengthening International Collaboration for Safer Work Environments.” The theme highlighted the need for international cooperation in creating safer, more sustainable workplaces that promote the health and well-being of the global workforce. “Research shows that failing to adhere to health and safety measures in the workplace can have serious consequences, including income loss,” Dr Materu noted.
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He added, “Neglecting these measures often leads to frequent illnesses and workplace accidents, ultimately disrupting income generation and stability especially in a sector that employs a large portion of the population.” Dr Materu also pointed out that prioritising health and safety can help informal sector workers protect their livelihoods and increase their chances of transitioning into the formal economy.
He further noted that OSHA is actively working to improve workplace safety by offering educational and awareness programmes specifically tailored to the informal sector.
MUHAS Professor Simon Mamuya stressed the need to raise public awareness, citing research that identified a general lack of understanding about occupational health and safety as a major challenge in communities.
The symposium was also attended by international stakeholders from the University of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and the University of Bergen (Norway), both of which collaborate closely with MUHAS.
MUHAS Principal of the College of Medicine, Professor Enica Richard, highlighted the university’s fruitful partnership with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), through the NORHED Programme Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development.
“This collaboration, involving MUHAS, the University of Bergen and Addis Ababa University, has brought significant advancements in research, academic training and institutional capacity building,” she said.
