Launch of the ACTRAV Report on Informality

The ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO/ACTRAV) is launching a new entitled: “Innovative Approaches Taken by Workers’ Organizations in Organizing, Representing and Providing Services to Workers in the Informal Economy to Drive Formalization”.

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The informal economy remains a defining feature of many national economies, particularly across the Global South. While the overall numbers have declined over the past 25 years, informal employment continues to be widespread. This report presents how trade unions and workers’ organizations are implementing ILO Recommendation No. 204, supporting the transition from informal to formal work. It highlights innovative practices in organizing, service provision, and representation that have helped bring diverse groups of workers into the formal economy.

Programme

Opening Session - 13:00 – 13:20

  • Maria Helena André, Director, ILO/ACTRAV – Opening Remarks
  • Manuela Tomei, Assistant Director-General, Governance, Rights and Dialogue, ILO


Presentation of Key Findings - 13:20 – 13:45

  • Melissa Serrano, Professor, School of Labor and Industrial Relations of the University of the Philippines

Moderator: Mamadou Kaba SOUARE, Coordinator of the ACTRAV Team on Formalization


Panel Discussion: Workers’ Strategies for Formalization - 13:45 – 14:30

This panel will explore successful practices by workers’ organizations in organizing, representing, and supporting workers in the informal economy.

  • Africa: Experience from Cameroon (Sector: Agriculture)
  • Americas: Experience from Argentina (Sector: Construction )
  • Arab States: Experience from Oman (Sector: Fisheries)
  • Asia and Pacific: Experience from Nepal(Sector: Sanitation )
  • Europe and Central Asia: Experience from Kazakhstan (Sectors: Transport)

Moderator: Frederic Lapeyre, Director of the Action Programme/Formalization


Open Floor: Participant Contributions - 14:30 – 14:50

Brief reflections and comments from participants.


Closing Remarks - 14:50 – 15:00

  • Anthony Yaw Baah, Workers’ Chairperson, General Discussion Committee: Promoting the Transition to Formality
  • Clair Sioban Ruppert, Deputy-Director, ILO/ACTRAV

Related content

Innovative Approaches Taken by Workers’ Organizations to Drive Formalization

Report

Innovative Approaches Taken by Workers’ Organizations to Drive Formalization