The Informal Workforce in a Global Economy

Abstract

The Informal Workforce in a Global Economy: Who are We Talking About, Why are We Concerned, and How Should We Respond Dr. Chen will open her talk with international definitions of three related concepts - informal sector, informal employment, and the informal economy – and a brief summary of recent data on these phenomena. She will then focus on key debates about the causes and consequences of informality and recent evidence on the links between informality and poverty, growth, and the formal economy. Dr. Chen will conclude her talk with a discussion of standard policy responses to informality, including the formalization debate, and a call for a new policy approach to informality.The Informal Workforce in a Global EconomyPresenter: Martha Chen; Harvard Kennedy School