Informal Employment Re-loaded

• Published in: IDS bulletin (Brighton. 1984) 2008-05, Vol.39 (2), p.28-36
• Main Authors: Jütting, Johannes, Parlevliet, Jante, Xenogiani, Theodora
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Developing countries; Economic policy; Employment; Employment policy; Globalization; Informal sector; Labour market participation; Poverty alleviation; Social protection; Working conditions
• ISSN: 0265-5012; 1759-5436
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-5436.2008.tb00442.x

This article provides a fresh look at informal employment, a phenomenon that is receiving renewed interest from policymakers & researchers like, It highlights a more complex picture than is usually portrayed in policy circles where informal employment is often equated with low productive lbs & bad working conditions & expected to disappear once the economy grows, The article argues that the reality is far more complex & this picture needs to be revised, Informal employment is unlikely to disappear in the near future, it is sometimes a voluntary choice & it can offer better working conditions than formal employment. Moreover, in many countries, the line is blurred between formal & informal spheres, as people may have a footing in both sectors or move frequently between them. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that sector policies that focus solely either on the formal or informal part of the economy should be questioned. What is urgently needed is an integrated approach, combining the employment & social protection agendas in order to promote the development of more & better jobs in the whole economy. Adapted from the source document.