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- Convenors:
-
Munacinga Simatele
(University of Fort Hare)
Motshedisi Mathibe (University of Pretoria)
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- Format:
- Panel
- Streams:
- Economy and Development (x) Inequality (y)
- Location:
- Philosophikum, S83
- Sessions:
- Thursday 1 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin
Short Abstract:
The panel calls for papers on the multidimensional manifestation of informal finance, decent work and the link between them. The central proposition is that informal finance is inevitable in the creation of pro-poor development and growth, and engendering of decent work.
Long Abstract:
The proposed panel invites papers on informal finance development, decent work and how informal finance development can facilitate access to decent work. Despite the rapid increases in financial inclusion, many people remain outside the ambit of formal finance. One of the drivers of financial inclusion in Africa is digital finance, which manifests itself in informal ways. Mobile money, rotating savings and credit associations, financial self-help savings groups and money lenders have become dominant and vital sources of finance for many households and small and micro businesses. As a result, informal finance plays a critical role in allowing workers in the informal sector to take advantage of investment opportunities and possibilities of access to decent work. Because characteristics of informal workers and businesses largely exclude them from formal finance, the co-existence of informal finance and informal work is inevitable. Relatedly, the inevitable interaction of formal and informal finance results in complex manifestations of business models in both finance and informal work. Added, to this the promotion of decent work especially within the ambit of informality may potentially aid the development of such a sector including aspects of commerce. The panel, therefore, also invites papers that investigate how informal finance compares to formal finance in its ability to adapt to the characteristics of informal businesses and workers' access to decent work.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 1 June, 2023, -Paper short abstract:
Based on the concept of decent work and action resource and taking into account the dual context of informality and unemployment, this work analyses the quality of work of the Kaba mobile application's meal delivery workers in Togo.
Paper long abstract:
The development of delivery platforms in African cities is creating new jobs and transforming the existing world of work, but remains poorly documented. This article proposes to shed light on the work of the delivery drivers of the Kaba meal delivery application in Lomé (Togo). The aim is, on the one hand, to discuss working conditions in the light of the concept of decent work, which is based on four dimensions: (i) the creation of productive jobs, (ii) labour standards, (iii) social protection and (iv) social dialogue. On the other hand, it is a question of analysing the spaces and channels for expressing the claims of delivery workers in relation to their working conditions in terms of their resources for action. The results are based on first-hand qualitative data collected between 2020 and 2022 from 21 delivery drivers. This work reveals that, although delivery work offers certain opportunities in terms of employment and income, the counterpart is self-exploitation and conditions of non-social coverage and informal work (without a formal contract). Moreover, even though Kaba's delivery workers do not have trade unions or representative organisations, the public space and waiting times (in the vicinity of the restaurants and Kaba's head office) constitute time and space for the construction of collective demands, which are nevertheless expressed to those in charge not by representatives but individually. The decision to stay or leave delivery work remains strongly linked to the differentiated resources (social capital, mobilisation culture, etc.) that delivery workers can mobilise.
Paper short abstract:
Building upon the concept of inequality regime, this research was an analysis of gendered experiences from the perspective and experiences of women iwho are suffering from exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, and harassment in the struggle for survival.
Paper long abstract:
This article investigates the challenges faced by women workers within the wood-processing enterprises in Zimbabwe, the challenges which are caused by the legitimised, taken for granted practices and policies which are gendered. The qualitative research approach was used in deconstructing the experiences and feelings from the perspective of employees. Through open ended interviews administered to 40 purposively selected participants, the findings reveal that some HR practices like recruitment and selection, training, promotion, reward management and termination of employment are the breeding sources of producing and reproducing gendered inequalities. Women are unfairly treated in disciplinary cases, and they are subject to low wages, compromised work-life balance, precarious employment, illegal hours, non-payment of overtime and unfair dismissals influenced by some sexual interests by male superiors. All these are forces against section 65 of the Zimbabwean Constitution and the part 11, part 111 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]. To address this, the research suggest that HR practitioners need to admonish unfair labour practices through sound legal advice to employers regarding labour laws and labour boards such as NEC, and Trade Unions should play an active role in denouncing indecent work practices in the industry. The female workers need to also endure, be strong enough to defend their fundamental rights through collaborative dialogue and be part of the worker’s committee. The women remain key assets in the wood-processing industry hence the need to fight against misconceptions and stereotyping against the impact they have to the Zimbabwean economy.
Paper short abstract:
Extract studies have examined the effect of formal and informal finance on firm performance. However, the literature, especially in the context of the African informal sector is yet to document the role of blending both finances. The paper presents evidence from more than 1500 South African firms.
Paper long abstract:
Extract studies have examined the effect of formal and informal finance on firm performance. However, the literature, especially in the context of the African informal sector is yet to document the role of blending both finances. Using data from more than 1500 South African informal firms, this paper examines the roles of blended finance on informal firm performance. The empirical findings will examine the roles of blending both means of finance, along with other determinants sick as business registration, firm size and age. We also examine whether these factors are complementary or substitutes for blending both means of finance. The results from the paper will help policymakers in the South African informal sector and economy formulate appropriate policies for the promotion and growth of the South African informal sector.