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Articles

Vol.1 No. 1, June, 2017

Decent Work and Poverty Eradication Among Micro-Entrepreneur Recharge-Card Vendors

  • Ogunrin Florence Olu
  • Adekunle Simon Ayo
Submitted
August 11, 2017
Published
2017-08-11

Abstract

It is believed that most micro-entrepreneurial businesses lack decency, and unable to provide for the entrepreneurs and their relations/dependants satisfactorily with the income earned. This study was therefore designed to investigate whether or not recharge-card retailing provides enough income to permit the vendors live above United Nations (UN) poverty benchmark of $1.25; and whether recharge-card retailing qualifies as decent work as conceived by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The population of the study comprised vendors of mobile-phone recharge-cards in Benin City. Cochrans formula was used to determine the sample size. A sample of one hundred and five (105) vendors was taken in specific locations such as the main campus of the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus; and its environs. This sample was drawn with the aid of convenience sampling technique. Being a descriptive research, the statistical analysis undertaken was also descriptive through the use of frequency distribution and simple percentages. The study found that the vendors daily investment in card procurement and average sales per day suggests that the financial commitment by most of the vendors guarantees a daily profit that will be greater than $1.25 UN benchmark and that recharge-card retailing can be considered as a decent work as examined on the basis of the four decent work indicators selected and used in the study. It is recommended that government should support vendors by formulating and implementing social and economic policies that will create a friendly and enabling working environment for them; recharge-card vendors should form associations/unions so as to protect their interests and enhance their wellbeing; and more women should be empowered to venture into the business because it does not require strenuous efforts.