京都大学 大学院経済学研究科・経済学部

Title: "Improving Health and Safety in the Informal Sector: Evidence from a Randomized Trial in Bangladesh"

Abstract: Workers in small firms in low- and middle-income countries are exposed to significant risks of occupational hazards. The connection between occupational health and safety (OHS) and the performance of small firms is ambiguous. While OHS measures have the potential to enhance firm productivity and sustainability, they may be costly to implement. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh that provided informal firms with OHS information to improve their workplace practices. The intervention comprised two treatment arms: one focused solely on OHS training (OHS arm), while the other offered business training and access to financing in addition to OHS training (OHS+Biz arm). After two years, treated firms improved their business practices, particularly those related to safety and decent work environment. Moreover, both treatment arms experienced increased output and sales revenue. The OHS+Biz arm generally had no additional impact on firm outcomes compared to the OHS arm, suggesting that OHS information is the primary factor driving safer and healthier workplaces, which consequently can lead to better firm outcomes.