Publications on informal economy

  1. Publication

    Youth employment in times of COVID

    21 January 2022

    A global review of COVID-19 policy responses to tackle (un)employment and disadvantage among young people.

  2. ILO Working paper 32

    Digital Work in Eastern Europe: Overview of Trends, Outcomes, and Policy Responses

    25 May 2021

    This paper presents the emergence and growth of digital labour markets in Eastern Europe over the period 1999-2019. It presents the profiles of digital workers, their working conditions and discusses how these are shaped by the business models of digital labour platforms.

  3. World Employment and Social Outlook 2021

    The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work

    23 February 2021

    This ILO flagship report explores how the contemporary platform economy is transforming the way work is organized, and analyses the impact of digital labour platforms on enterprises, workers and society as a whole.

  4. World Employment and Social Outlook 2021

    The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work [Summary]

    23 February 2021

    This report examines how digital labour platforms are transforming the world of work and how that affects employers and workers. It focuses on two main types of digital labour platform: online web-based platforms, where tasks are performed online and remotely by workers, and location-based platforms, where tasks are performed at a specified physical location by individuals, such as taxi drivers and delivery workers.

  5. The Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth - Thematic Brief

    The Contribution of Social Dialogue to Gender Equality

    20 January 2021

  6. Global Deal for Decent Work & Inclusive Growth - Thematic Brief

    Social Dialogue for the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy

    20 November 2020

    Social dialogue has a vital role to play in supporting the transition from the informal to the formal economy. Drawing on case studies from around the world, this Global Deal thematic brief illustrates how social dialogue, involving governments and representative employers’ and workers’ organizations has, in different ways and at different levels, contributed to the transition to formality and the reduction of decent work deficits in the informal economy. It aims to assist all concerned stakeholders to apply social dialogue for the design and implementation of effective formalization strategies, in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the relevant international labour standards.

  7. Questions & answers

    The role of social dialogue and the social partners in addressing the consequences of COVID-19 in the informal economy

    29 October 2020

  8. COVID-19 Pandemic in the World of Work

    ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the world of work. 6th edition

    23 September 2020

  9. COVID-19 Pandemic in the World of Work

    ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the world of work. 5th edition

    30 June 2020

  10. Publication

    Short-term Policy Responses to COVID-19 in the World of Work

    30 March 2020

    The note prepared by ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and India offers the possible actions that could be considered during COVID-19 crisis by the state governments. It has special focus on informal sector workers.