1. Laura Alfers [WIEGO] and Richard Dobson [Asiye eTafuleni]
Conference presentation: Richard Dobson
HUMAN FACTORS AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Laura Alfers [WIEGO] and Richard Dobson [Asiye eTafuleni]
ESSA ASHFAS ErgoAfrica 2017
13-15 September Birchwood. Johannesburg

2. introduction Rockefeller Foundation: Technology and the Future of Work
Durban. South Africa
Ahmedabad. India
Lima. Peru
Rockefeller Foundation: Technology and the Future of Work
joint research between Practical Action and WIEGO
located in 3 cities
WIEGO and SEWA. Ahmedabad, India
WEIGO and Themis Castellanos. Lima, Peru
Asiye eTafuleni. Durban, South Africa
introduction

3. introduction Ahmedabad, Lima and Durban 4 Informal work sectors
Durban. South Africa
Ahmedabad. India
Lima. Peru
Ahmedabad, Lima and Durban
4 Informal work sectors
waste pickers, street vendors, home-based workers, construction workers
Sample size 20 individuals x 4 sectors x 3 cities = 240
introduction

4. … study findings informal workers use a diverse array of tools
tools tend to be basic and may have a negative impact on their bodies
tools are often ingeniously adapted to perform livelihood specific tasks or be due to resource constraints
take-up of improved tools is limited by low incomes and concerns about theft and confiscation
affected by city-level, context specific systems of energy, transport and waste
… study findings

5. …case study 1: short handled hoe
Source: Cesar Chavez and El Cortito Campaign by the Culture C.O.-O.P.
El Cortito, ‘the short one’
protests from 1920’s onwards
ultimately outlawed in 1970
35 years on, task related back injuries dropped by 34 %
actual and symbolic tool of oppression
…case study 1: short handled hoe

6. Tech. and the Future of Work1 4 2
Name : Hiraben Chavda
Location : Bapunagar
Activity : Construction Work
GPS : ,
Field worker : Jignasa, Aruna
Sheet Number : A2/10
Rockefeller Foundation
Tech. and the Future of Work 3
…case study 1: short handled hoe

7. …case study 1: short handled hoe
construction work. Ahmedabad. India
short handled hoe in a different context and country
arguably a ‘gateway tool’ for women to engage in the construction industry
…case study 1: short handled hoe

8. …case study 2: water carts
400
…case study 2: water carts

9. …case study 2: water carts
innovative ‘multi-link’ bread crate cart
approximately 400 l of water per load
approximately 400 kg pulled by single individual
limited public availability of water to informal workers for work
activities in public space
…case study 2: water carts

10. …case study 2: water carts
purpose designed and manufactured water cart, Lagos, Nigeria
limited reticulation of water as a local government service
‘legitimised’ distribution of water reconfigures the cart
…case study 2: water carts

11. Tech. and the Future of Work
Name : Vimlaben Vaghela
Location : Shahibuag,
Ahmedabad
Activity : Waste Picker
Fieldworker: Giat , Sapna
GPS : , Sheet Number : A1/01 1 2 3 4
Rockefeller Foundation
Tech. and the Future of Work
…case study 3. waste pickers

12. …case study 3. waste pickers
the ‘gunny bag’
polypropolene woven bag manufactured primarily in China, universally available
in India bags obtained from the cement industry
waste pickers organized and represented by SEWA
local government contracts secured by co-operatives
recognized activity
…case study 3. waste pickers

13. …case study 3. waste pickers
Uses plastic bag to collect and transport recyclables
…case study 3. waste pickers

14. …case study 3. waste pickers
individuals not collectively organized
activity not recognised by local government
individuals harassed by enforcement agencies
no ‘investment’ in their tools
diminished dignity and purpose
…case study 3. waste pickers

15. Tech. and the Future of Work1 4 2
Name : Pashiben
Location : Bapu Nagar
Activity: Incense stick roller
GPS :  ,
Fieldworker : Radha, Reema,Rameshbhai
Sheet Number : A4/02
Rockefeller Foundation
Tech. and the Future of Work 3
…case study 4. incense stick rollers

16. …case study 4. incense stick rollers
prized and personalized tool
culturally embedded purpose and occupation
communal and supports women with family responsibilities
‘home-based’ activity enabled by urban / residential built forum
4000 sticks a day [others reported a day]
…case study 4. incense stick rollers

17. Tech. and the Future of Work
Rockefeller Foundation
Tech. and the Future of Work 1 2 3 4
Name : Jiganaben Panchal
Location :GIDC, Vatva , Ahmedabad
Activity : Incense Stick Roller
Field Worker :Reema, Ramesh
GPS : ,
Sheet Number : A4/17
…case study 4. incense stick rollers

18. …case study 4. incense stick rollers
mechanized process
can produce 2000 sticks an hour [say a day]
capital intensive
requires urban specific infrastructure [power, premises, security etc]
challenged and changed the cultural practice
changed the dynamics in the value chain
…case study 4. incense stick rollers

19. …inspiration Also Also sells incense. Jig = R120
4 years old +/ 7 mats / month
Production income of R15 000
Also
…inspiration

20. there is an interplay of forces that influence adoption, adaption and innovation
these can be individual factors through to the characteristics of urban systems
it is systems based where the urban environment is the workplace
proactive interventions should consider the careful distinction between types and processes
implementation with and not for informal workers
…conclusion

21. © Single presentation to titled audience only.
Lima. Market Porters. Themis Castellanos
Photographic and drawing credits: Richard Dobson and identified individuals
© Single presentation to titled audience only.