All news: informal employment + informal enterprises + informal economy

Child labour

Strengthening coffee farming communities in Viet Nam to prevent child labour

When what seems normal can still carry child labour risks.

Child labour

Viet Nam marks 25 years of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour

Viet Nam today commemorates 25 years since ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour - a landmark commitment to protect children from exploitation and uphold their rights.

Social and solidarity economy: Strengthening jobs and local services in the Republic of Korea

ILO–KLRI research workshop explores how the social and solidarity economy can expand decent work and essential services, particularly in the care economy and in rural areas.

ILO constituents and partners strengthen knowledge on the social and solidarity economy to advance social justice

The ILO convened a technical knowledge-sharing event in Turin, bringing together constituents and partners from countries where it has been actively supporting the promotion of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) for social justice. Participants...

Creating Change, One Story at a Time

Jisan’s path to independence: Learning, earning, and leading

With entrepreneurship training under the ILO ISEC Project, Jannatul Neha Jisan turned her home-based sales into a thriving boutique in Cox’s Bazar. Today, she earns a steady income, trains local girls in fabric design, and pursues higher education,...

Creating Change, One Story at a Time

From Fuchka to Fashion: Humaira’s Journey with SIYB

Humaira turned a small fuchka venture into two growing businesses with support from SIYB training under the ILO ISEC Project. Equipped with new skills to plan and manage, she is now a confident entrepreneur and a role model for young women in Cox’s...

Strengthening collective action

Towards a collective voice for platform workers: Trade union and youth-led innovative strategies for evidence-based policy advocacy in India

Indian trade unions and emerging workers’ groups agreed to form a National Joint Forum for Platform Workers, creating a unified mechanism for coordination, knowledge sharing, and collective advocacy.

ILO workshop presents new insights on labour force participation and informality

The Labour Supply Microsimulation Model provides insights into the role of policy incentives in labour market outcomes.

Press Release

Advancing safety and working conditions of waste management workers in Nepal

ILO Nepal is engaging with waste management companies to promote safer workplaces and social security for waste workers.

PROSPECTS Impact

With ILO, Ethiopia’s Jigjiga University transforms into an entrepreneurship hub

The partnership between the ILO and Jigjiga University is driving the institutionalization of the ILO’s globally recognized tools and the creation of a dynamic Business and Technology Incubation Center, fostering entrepreneurship for host and...

Labour Overview 2025

Employment holds steady in Latin America and the Caribbean, but informality and inequality persist

In its newly released Labour Overview 2025, the ILO finds that despite gains, structural gaps and informality persist as changes in the world of work demand attention.

Productivity ecosystems for decent work

When AI meets decent work: A productivity breakthrough from the factory floor

Insights from HITI’s real-world pilot under the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme

Productivity ecosystems for decent work

Productivity with purpose: Collaboration for a new era in Viet Nam

How ILO is supporting Viet Nam’s forward-looking employment promotion efforts.

Formalization of the Informal Economy Project (Phase II)

Mongolian civil servants address the complexity of the E-Business platform to develop a more advanced version

The Government of Mongolia is advancing its digital transformation agenda to reduce administrative barriers and improve access to public services by upgrading its E-Business platform.

Social protection

Viet Nam leads progress on disability-inclusive social protection among lower-middle-income countries

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, the ILO and partners launched a new report highlighting Viet Nam’s progress and remaining gaps in disability-inclusive social protection.

News

ILO and FAO warn: Agricultural employment in Latin America remains predominantly informal

New joint report by ILO and FAO highlights that over 80% of jobs in the sector lack formal protections and social security.

Tripartite Advisory Committee advances policy action on informality in Armenia

Armenia’s tripartite constituents convened to prepare for upcoming policy discussions and advance the final phase of the ILO initiative on formalization.

International experts convene in Bordeaux to advance standards on cooperative and social and solidarity economy statistics

Deep-dive workshop in Bordeaux convenes experts from around the world to advance on definitions, key indicators, and next steps toward inclusive statistical frameworks on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy.

Refugee inclusion

From policy to practice: Employers explore role in Kenya’s Shirika Plan

Kenya’s private sector is engaging with the Shirika Plan to advance refugee inclusion in the formal economy. Through ILO-supported dialogue and training, employers are strengthening their capacity to promote inclusive workplaces and social cohesion.

Social protection

Waste collectors, informal economy workers gain ground through social protection

Waste collectors and informal economy workers navigate daily risks and hardships, making social protection an essential lifeline during crises, emergencies and economic shocks in the Philippines.