Exploring Gendered Perspectives on Working Conditions of Solo Self-Employed Quarry Workers in Ghana

Abstract

This paper explored the gendered perspectives on working conditions of solo self-employed quarry workers in Ghana. Institutional support by the state represents the extrinsic factor. Healthcare and health insurance, social security, income, working hours, safe working environment, organising, and social networking also represent the intrinsic factors within the Herzberg two-factor theory used to support the study. This paper adopted the exploratory study design, and 27 solo self-employed were interviewed as well as trade unions, medical officers, and regulators. Data were analysed through thematic content analysis. The study identified poor working conditions for the internal or controllable factors in terms of social security, income, working environment, hours of work, organising and institutional supports, and healthcare for quarry workers. Poor job quality repressed their ability to develop their enterprises and agency to employ others, affecting their health, well-being, family formation, and social life. Lack of institutional support by the state (external/uncontrollable factors) was found to have largely contributed to the worsening working conditions of solo self-employed. It was recommended that the state’s social security coverage and basic universal insurance could provide them with dignity, enhance their quality of life, and finally, safeguard these workers from any work-related risk.