Publications on informal economy

  1. Background Paper N°6 - GEPR working paper series

    E-formalization: The Colombian experience

    30 March 2022

    Background paper for the Global Employment Policy Review (GEPR), Second edition (forthcoming).

  2. A review of country data

    Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on informality: Has informal employment increased or decreased?

    21 March 2022

  3. ILO Working paper 50

    Crowdwork for young people: Risks and opportunities

    21 February 2022

  4. Publication

    Trainer's Guide: Formalize Your Business in the Gambia

    18 January 2022

  5. Publication

    Learner’s Handbook: Formalize Your Business in the Gambia

    18 January 2022

  6. EESE Report

    A comparative analysis from the EESE programme in Zambia, Honduras, Montenegro, Sierra Leone and Mozambique: key findings and lessons learned

    14 January 2022

    The five case studies look back on the EESE process in specific countries to document how the assessment was conducted, which stakeholders were involved, what recommendations and action plans were issued as a result of the assessment, and how these were taken up by local partners to lead to reforms and, ultimately, improved enabling environment, enterprise development and job creation. These five case studies are input into the preparation of the present comparative study which aims at collecting the key findings from the country-level case studies and identifying common lessons learned and success factors, which should provide evidence for revision of the programme. The main research questions addressed by this report are: can EESE methodology drive change in a sustainable way, what are the key success factors, what are the main opportunities for programme to grow and evolve.

  7. Methodological note

    Diagnosis of informality

    20 December 2021

  8. EESE Report

    A framework to support small firms in developing countries navigate crises and build resilience

    10 December 2021

    This wide-ranging report addresses head-on some of the key challenges that shocks pose to small firms in developing countries and outlines a range of policy options that can help support small firms during such conditions. It also presents concrete and numerous examples of measures which are derived from previous shocks and from the COVID-19 shock.

  9. PRODUCTIVITY

    TRENDS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES. A comparative analysis of four emerging-market economies.

    17 November 2021

    This study undertaken by the Bureau for Employers' Activities of the ILO (ACT/EMP) is part of a research project to analyse the barriers to productivity growth, diversification and structural change in four selected emerging market economies Vietnam, Colombia, Turkey, and South Africa. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the design of coherent and comprehensive strategies, with a human-centred approach, to foster productivity and structural change, will be of utmost importance to accelerate the economic and employment recovery in the post-pandemic environment to build forward better.

  10. ILO News

    ILO Pasifika Update November 2021

    14 November 2021

    In this edition of the ILO Pacific Newsletter, you will find updates on events and other news highlights of ILO’s work in the Pacific from September to November 2021.