Health and working conditions of motorcycle-taxi drivers in Palmira, Colombia.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to describe the health and working conditions under which a group of motorcycle-taxi drivers in Palmira, Colombia execute their labor.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study, carried out in 155 motorcycle-taxi drivers who filled up all the forms of a Standardized Health & Working Conditions Instrument for the Informal Sector (Colombia - Social Protection Ministry 2008). This tool was conveniently adjusted to better adapt to this workers. On the other hand, the “Colombian Guidance for Hazzard Identification and Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment” (ICONTEC International) was applied. Data were collected and handled with the SPSS v20.0 statistical software.

Results: 100% of motorcycle-taxi drivers usually transport passengers, 89% are also dedicated to mail delivery, 86% to food distribution and 56% frequently does freight forwarding. They have been dedicated to this labor during four years on average, preferably working in daytime, twelve hours a day, six days a week. 44.4% suffer common diseases, 24% suffer respiratorysystem related diseases, and hypertension was demonstrated in 4.8% of the workers while musculoskeletal system diseases were found in 47.5% of them. 30.6% of these workers have suffered accidents.

Conclusions: The motorcycle-taxi drivers the of Palmira show a typical vulnerability profile of workers performing non-formal labor, namely extended working hours just to obtain an average income equivalent to one legal minimum wage. Although nearly three-quarters of the population are affiliated to health through the Colombian subsidized regime, they don’t save to be eventually paid a pension or to be protected by a professional risks management company. They are exposed to physical and ergonomic risk factory