Publications on informal economy

  1. ILO Working paper 24

    Online digital labour platforms in China: Working conditions, policy issues and prospects

    02 February 2021

    This paper summarizes the results of an ILO survey, conducted in 2019, of workers’ characteristics and working conditions on three major digital labour platforms in China.

  2. New study

    Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No.188): Netting Gains for Sri Lanka

    02 February 2021

    This study was commissioned to identify how the ratification of C 188 convention by the Government of Sri Lanka would impact on different stakeholders. Working in the agriculture and fisheries sector, the ILO's LEED+ project has a strong focus on creating inclusive, decent work opportunities. It is expected that the C 188 Convention, if ratified by the Government of Sri Lanka, will not only promote decent work conditions in the fisheries sector and create additional employment, but also generate significant economic returns to the country.

  3. Joint UNDP/ ILO publication

    Informality and Social Protection in African Countries: A Forward-looking Assessment of Contributory Schemes

    01 February 2021

  4. Theory of Change

    Transition from the informal to the formal economy - Theory of change

    29 January 2021

    This umbrella theory of change provides the main pathways for the transition to formality of workers and enterprises. It is a general framework that can inform the development of theories of change focused on a specific sector, occupational groups, forms of informality or policy areas.

  5. Research brief

    COVID-19 and rising wage inequality: Trends and challenges in Thailand and Viet Nam

    27 January 2021

    This brief presents quantitative trends in wage inequality in Thailand and Viet Nam during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Based on various measures, it highlights the rise of inequality as wages have been increasingly concentrated among the highest wage earners and the disproportionate impact of lower wages on informal workers, youth and workers with lower educational qualifications. It presents a number of policy measures including enhanced wage support and active labour market policies to counter these dynamics.

  6. Publication

    Enterprise Formalization: Tailored registration, tax and social security requirements for MSEs

    25 January 2021

  7. Publication

    Enterprise Formalization: Simplifying and facilitating business start-up and compliance

    25 January 2021

  8. ILO Working paper 22

    Home-based work and homework in Ghana: An exploration

    22 January 2021

    This research report explores the nature and character of home-based work and the more narrow concept of homework in Ghana.

  9. Social Protection Spotlight COVID-19

    Towards solid social protection floors? The role of non-contributory provision during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond

    21 January 2021

    The COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the importance of guaranteeing access to at least essential health care and to basic income security for all over the life cycle, as stipulated in the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202).

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

    The Contribution of Social Dialogue to Gender Equality

    20 January 2021