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Strengthening Urban Informal Trading and Improving the Health of Vendors: An Integrated Management Model

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  • Maasago Mercy Sepadi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
    Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Sciences, Pretoria Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa)

  • Vusumuzi Nkosi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
    Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
    Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

Context: Within the urban areas, especially the central business districts, informal trading is growing in large numbers, and the informal vendor’s health is also at risk. Despite various frameworks developed for this industry, there are few guidance and implementation strategies on how to accomplish better-managed informal trading, mostly one that entails better occupational settings. Objective: The goal of the proposed model is to improve the working conditions for informal vendors in South Africa by redesigning the current informal trading management approach, thus ensuring a healthy workplace. An evidence-based approach was used to inform the development of this model. Results: This paper outlines the current challenges of informal vendors in urban areas as per the quantitative health risk assessment study that was conducted in 16 markets amongst 617 informal food vendors in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study investigated the respiratory health caused by air pollution and associated risk factors. Findings revealed a lack of infrastructure and higher exposure to air pollution, resulting in respiratory ill-health amongst outdoor vendors as compared to indoor vendors. The vendors were more exposed to particulate matter pollution in the spring and winter seasons as compared to the autumn and summer seasons. Furthermore, the upper respiratory symptoms were statistically significant to the type of work location (indoor/outdoor), type of cooking fuel, duration of work, frequency of hand hygiene, and wearing of protective equipment. An informal vendors’ integrated management model that encompasses a specific informal food vendor’s directorate was developed with five main components: the reviewing of informal vendors’ legislation, the restructuring of designated vending or trading sites, space allocation and occupancy, vendors‘ training and skills development, and the sustainability of vending sites and vendors’ health. Discussion and Conclusions: The status revealed the legislation fragmentation of the informal vendors’ activities. The goal of this informal vendors’ “healthy workplace management model” is to inform government responses to the current challenges of the informal vendors’ sector, as well as to guide policies and actions to reduce ill-health in the industry and to avoid disruptions to informal food supply chains, which are critical in the food sector. This model is explained well and documented for easier implementation in local governments. This paper contributes to the extant literature on street vendors and future management strategies of this trade.

Suggested Citation

  • Maasago Mercy Sepadi & Vusumuzi Nkosi, 2023. "Strengthening Urban Informal Trading and Improving the Health of Vendors: An Integrated Management Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-15, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4836-:d:1092426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maasago Mercy Sepadi & Vusumuzi Nkosi, 2023. "Health Risk Assessment of Informal Food Vendors: A Comparative Study in Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Maasago Mercy Sepadi & Vusumuzi Nkosi, 2022. "Environmental and Occupational Health Exposures and Outcomes of Informal Street Food Vendors in South Africa: A Quasi-Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Jillian Hill & Zandile Mchiza & Thandi Puoane & Nelia P Steyn, 2019. "The development of an evidence-based street food vending model within a socioecological framework: A guide for African countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-23, October.
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