ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INFORMAL SECTOR LABOUR IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY

ABSTRACT Informal sector labour basically refers to artisans who acquired their skill set and expertise through the traditional or informal apprenticeship. In the construction industry, this category of labour is very important to the execution and delivery of construction projects and contributed through their expertise and skill to the success of these projects. Interestingly, very little research regarding contributions of informal sector labour has been done in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to find out about the contribution of the informal sector labour in construction projects examining factors that affect these contributions so as to propose ways and means to improve on them. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 204 respondents out of which 139 made of master craftsmen (21), artisans (67), contractors (25) and home owners (26) were served with questionnaires while 12 foremen and 13 project managers were also interviewed. An observation by the researcher was also carried out in 5construction sites. One hundred and twenty five (125) of the questionnaires representing 89.9% and consisting of 56 for artisans, 21 for master craftsmen, 23 for contractors and 25 for home owners were returned. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi squared (x) text. The findings showed that interest in the informal apprenceship is on the decrease and thereby affecting the employment potential of artisanship with regards to the construction industry. It has also been revealed by the study that there were accident management difficulties on the sites as a result of lack of knowledge and skill in first-aid service delivery on the part of employees. Encouraging private individuals and organizations to recruit, train and employ individuals into the construction industry as a motivation to halt the dying interest in traditional apprenticeship provides the brightest prospect of reviving and exploiting the employment potential of artisanship in the industry.