Effects of occupational illness on labor productivity: A socioeconomic aspect of informal sector workers in urban Bangladesh

Ahmed, Sayem, Ahmed, Mohammad Wahid, Gaza, Rukhsana, Hoque, Mohammed Enamul, Islam, Ziaul, Khan, Jahangir ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6151-764X, Muhumud, Rashidul Alam and Sultana, Marufa (2016) 'Effects of occupational illness on labor productivity: A socioeconomic aspect of informal sector workers in urban Bangladesh'. Journal of Occupational Health, Vol 58, Issue 2, pp. 209-215.

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Abstract

Objectives: The informal sector is the dominant area of employment and the economy for any developing country including Bangladesh. The cost of productivity loss due to absence from work or presenteeism
with illness has rarely been examined in the Bangladesh context. This current study, therefore, attempted to examine the impact of ill health of informal sector workers on labor productivity, future earning, and healthcarerelated expenditure. Methodology : A cross-sectional
survey was conducted among three occupational groups of informal workers (rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers and restaurant workers) that were generally found in all urban areas in Bangladesh. A total of 557 informal workers were surveyed for this study. Results: Most of the respondents (57%) reported that they had been affected by some type of illness for the last six months. The overall average healthcare expenditure of informal workers was US $48.34, while restaurant workers expended more (US$53.61) . Self reported sickness absenteeism was highest (50.37days) in the case of shop keepers, followed by rickshaw pullers (49.31 days), in the last six months. Considering the income loss due to illness in the past six months, the rickshaw pullers were exposed to the highest income loss (US$197.15), followed by the shop keepers (US$151.39). Conclusions: Although the
informal sector contributes the most to the economy of Bangladesh, the workers in this sector have hardly any financial protection. This study provides critical clues to providing financial and social protection to informal sector workers in Bangladesh.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QS Anatomy > QS 4 General works. Classify here works on regional anatomy WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.15-0219-FS
Depositing User:	Julie Franco
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2016 12:40
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2019 11:09
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/6097

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