The International Labor Organization (ILO) showed that
informal sector workers in industrially developing countries
are exposed to poor working environments, low safety and
health standards, and environmental hazards. Such exposure
impairs their health and productivity as well as the general
well-being and quality of life of the informal workers and
their families. But often they are not even aware of the risks
they face and, if they are, they do not know how to avoid
them. Low levels of technology, low productivity, irregular
employment relationships and improper investment capacity
tend to increase the exposure of the informal workers to
occupational accidents and diseases. Inadequate technical
and managerial skills are also aggravating factors.