Informal labor markets have grown in peripheral countries,
accounting for more than 50% of jobs. There is
anecdotal evidence of a direct relation between informal
sector growth and an increase in the frequency and
severity of work-related diseases and injuries. Two sister
pilot projects were conducted in Uberaba and Campinas,
Brazil to develop population-based epidemiological
surveillance of workplace injuries in the informal
sector. Results for Campinas and Uberaba found cumulative
yearly incidences of 5.1% and 10.4%, with incidence
rates of 2.2 and 6.5 injuries per 100,000 worked
hours, respectively. The proportions of lost work time
were 0.3% and 0.31%. Rates found were comparable to
those found in the literature for both formal and informal
jobs. These results suggest that bad working conditions
in the formal labor market are replicated in the
informal market as subcontracting and outsourcing
contribute to the growth of informal jobs.