Informal Sector Research Articles

A paradigm shifts in fintech and rural inclusion challenges in India

FinTech abbreviates as financial technology. India being a developing country having largest population in the world by surpassing the china recently in April 2023. Continuing with conventional method of transaction, most of the people of such a populous country are standing in queue waiting for their turn for financial services. Is it feasible to bear such a time and economical loss arises as opportunity cost due to standing in queue rather than doing some other activity? Therefore, it become need of the time to adopt the advance technological way of doing transactions. Since 2015, India has witnessing its most aggressive phase of financial inclusion initiative ever seen anywhere in the world which brings nearly 330 billion citizens into formal financial sector which still increases to make it a crucial topic for research. In this research, we analyses the rural FinTech literacy requirement with all available means and impact of FinTech facilities on E-commerce and banking sector along with intermediaries role by adopting case study approach. With huge potential for FinTech, India can be the global FinTech super power but challenge is acceptance of FinTech with pace of technological advancement as well as with challenges and security loophole protection.

Внешнеэкономические условия развития России: изоляция и переориентация

The paper considers the main factors of foreign economic relations dynamics of Russia in the last two years. Contrary to the original expectations, Western sanctions did not lead to the full isolation of the Russian economy. Rather, it experienced a reorientation towards countries, which do not support sanctions regime, as well as transition of a large part of foreign trade into an informal sector. The paper discusses main factors of the persistent integration of Russia in the world economy, as well as potential changes in the mid- and long-term perspectives.

Self-initiated protection behavior based on Magna Carta of women: Women health workers, teachers, and minimum-wage earners in the workplace

The problem of violence in the workplace continues to expand and it casts a shadow on organizational environments all around the world. This phenomenon extends to different fields or sectors and is pervasive throughout a wide range of job environments, such as those in the healthcare industry, educational institutions, local and informal economies, and service industries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the actions of working women when their rights had been/will be violated. This quantitative study was conducted in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines among women in academe (n=121) and health institutions (n=39), and women of minimum-wage earners (n=42). Findings indicated that working women in the region tend to seek information outside their organizations when violence will happen; they also seek information when their rights once were violated. In some instances, they would only file a complaint when they feel discriminated against and when equal rights in the workplace are not well implemented. Notably, minimum-wage earners and health workers are more likely to file a complaint than teachers. The findings resonate with broader societal patterns wherein hesitancy to report workplace violations are deeply embedded. Such behaviors perpetuate gender-based violence and hinder the development of gender-sensitive and conducive workplaces. To deconstruct the gender and development (GAD) limitations, interventions need to extend beyond the present organizational policies to instill a culture of empowerment and safety for all individuals, fostering an environment conducive to open discussions, proactive conflict resolution mechanisms, and reliable report systems.

Impacts of Forced Immigration: The Venezuelan Diaspora and the Brazilian Labor Market

ABSTRACT This article estimates the impact of immigrant influxes on local labor markets, taking advantage of a natural experiment generated by a massive wave of forced migration of Venezuelans to Roraima, a state in northern Brazil, from 2016 onward. Estimates show that a 1% increase in the share of migrants in the state population due to immigration resulted in 1.1% higher earnings for native workers in the formal sector, 0.3% fewer hours worked weekly, and 2.3% higher wages. Results are confirmed by employing a synthetic control method.

Socio-Economic and Environmental Outcomes of Street Food Vending and its Sustainability in Selected Urban Areas of Kenya

Street food (SF) vending is a common livelihood activity in many urban areas globally. It is driven by a lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector and by the demand for cheap ready-to-eat food by urban residents. However, the trade is perceived to have adverse impacts on the urban environment and hence authorities seek to eliminate it from urban spaces. The purpose of this study was to assess the sustainability of SF vending in Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia urban areas in Western Kenya by examining its social, economic and environmental outcomes. The research design used was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. Proportionate sampling and simple random sampling were used to select respondents in each urban area. The sample consisted of two hundred and twenty-four respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires, observation checklists and photography. The findings show that SF vending met the food security needs of residents and also provided employment opportunities. However, the earnings were too low to meet the needs of vendors and their employees. Despite the low income, the trade also provided revenue for the county governments through the payment of various levies. Although personal hygiene was relatively good, workplaces were strewn with litter and waste disposal was poorly done. In order for SF vending to be sustainable in the long run, SF vendors need to be empowered through stakeholder engagement to increase their earnings to a level where it can meet their needs. They also need to adopt environmentally friendly waste disposal methods.

Responding to Covid-19 Pandemic: Policy and Governance Perspective to Reverse Migration in Uttarakhand

The coronavirus disease, commonly referred to as Covid-19, had engendered inadvertent and significant societal upheaval, widespread economic setbacks, and compelled the relocation of individuals on a global scale. Analogous repercussions have been witnessed in the context of India, notably exemplified by the mass exodus of migrant labourers from their designated areas of employment to their native regions, precipitated by a comprehensive governmental lockdown enacted to interrupt the transmission chain of Covid-19. This stringent lockdown exacerbated the plight of economically marginalised migrant workers, compelling them to endure financial precarity and minimal reserves while confined to their residences. Consequently, a substantial number of migrants, primarily employed in the informal sector, found themselves compelled to return to their ‘places of origin’ from their ‘places of destination’ as an imperative means of survival. The present article elucidates the characteristics and ramifications of this phenomenon of reverse migration, undertaking an evaluative analysis of India’s response to the challenges posed by reverse migration in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Special attention is directed towards the policy and governance dynamics, with a particular focus on the hilly state of Uttarakhand, India.

Motivations of Bangkok’s Food Truck Owners during the COVID-19 Disrupted Supply Chains and High Inflation of 2020-2023: An Example of Resilience from Bangkok’s Informal Economy

This study considers the motivations of food truck owners and prospective owners in Bangkok during a difficult period both locally and globally. Plans for Bangkok’s future development were opaque. Inflation was rising rapidly, particularly food and energy costs critical to the industry. COVID-19 continued throughout the research. The aim was to stress-test motivation and commitment within the industry. The study asked participants what motivates them through qualitative and quantitative techniques, the former subject to thematic content analysis. Further, there was discussion with stakeholders and observation. Stakeholders particularly included training providers in the industry. Vendors requested more help so they could sustain themselves and prosper in the industry. Food trucks were of interest because of the relatively casual labour that found a place during COVID-19, although the number of trucks had declined before the pandemic. The study found that food truckers are still highly motivated and eager to help shape Bangkok’s food truck industry going forward and, thereby, the urban landscape and economy of the city. Demotivating factors suggested by the participants themselves focused on murky city planning, which became a major element in the study. Clearly, a transparent path forward must be negotiated between relevant stakeholders in determining the future development of the city.

Exploring the Drivers and Constraints of Firm Capacity Utilization in the Middle East and North Africa

This study analyzes the drivers and constraints affecting enterprise capacity utilization (CU) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We used data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and a fractional logit model to examine the impacts of institutional, infrastructural, and sustainability factors on firms’ CU. Our analysis highlights corruption and competition in the informal sector as significant impediments to firms’ CU, alongside complex infrastructure barriers that hinder the optimization. Conversely, environmental responsibility and innovation emerge as critical drivers for enhancing CU. Surprisingly, top managers’ experience introduces a counteractive influence that negatively affects CU. Beyond the empirical findings, this study’s implications extend to various stakeholders, notably policymakers. Emphasizing the need to address corruption, foster an enabling business environment, strategically invest in infrastructure, promote sustainability initiatives, and foster innovation to enhance CU are paramount. Additionally, providing targeted managerial training to mitigate negative managerial influences is crucial. Implementing these recommendations promises to foster an environment conducive to improved CU, driving economic growth, and sustainable development in the MENA region and benefiting stakeholders across sectors.

Multidisciplinary team meeting Chairs' attitudes and perceived facilitators, barriers and ideal improvements to meeting functionality: A qualitative study.

Oncology care provision by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) is widely acknowledged as best practice. Formal team meetings, led by chairpersons, coordinate decisions on diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and review. This study addresses a gap in meeting Chairs' perspectives on factors affecting functionality across the meeting cycle, from pre-meeting patient list triage to post-meeting dissemination of recommendations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person with Chairs within two urban geographical regions in New South Wales, Australia as part of a larger project. Though the population of oncology MDT Chairs in Australia is small, the richness and depth of data from nine Chairs were considered to be valuable knowledge in support of extant literature on meeting functionality. An integrated deductive-inductive approach was applied to data analysis. Perceived facilitators, barriers, and ideals relating to pre-meeting, in-meeting, and post-meeting functionality were identified across five pre-determined analytic categories: the team; meeting infrastructure; meeting organization and logistics; patient-centered clinical decision-making, and; team governance. Key barriers included inadequate information technology, limited support staff, and lack of dedicated time for Chair duties. Corresponding facilitators included robust Information Technology infrastructure and support, provision of clinically knowledgeable MDT meeting coordinators, and formal employment recognition of Chairs' responsibilities and skill sets. Chairs across various tumor streams develop workarounds to overcome barriers and ensure quality meeting outcomes. With more robust support they could enhance value by sharing evidence, conducting audits, and engaging in research. The findings highlight the need for healthcare systems to support tumor stream clinical networks by allocating greater resources to prioritize multidisciplinary meetings and cancer care decision-making.

A Decade of VAT Reforms in Honduras: A Legislative Fixation on Exemptions

In this article, the author examines the evolution of a decade (2013-2023) of VAT reforms in Honduras, focusing on legislative tendencies towards increasing VAT exemptions. This trend is analysed in contrast to the country’s considerable tax expenditures, suggesting a lack of strategic coherence in VAT reform efforts. He also identifies gaps in the VAT system, including the absence of comprehensive regulations for the digital economy, the need for an electronic invoicing framework and inadequate definitions regarding the taxation of services and intangible goods, as well as the issue of tax compliance among businesses in the informal economy, proposing a re-evaluation of the simplified tax regime.

Farming is charming: Informal learning of farmers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

AbstractThe agricultural sector in India has come to prominence as a source of employment and livelihood. It is one of the most significant informal sectors in the country, and one in which informal learning plays a major role. This article analyses the informal learning of farmers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. In the course of this research, qualitative interviews with 34 farmers in Coimbatore were conducted and analysed with regard to informal learning. The findings show that informal learning is lifelong and chiefly takes place at home in a family and peer group context. Informal learning is facilitated by training courses specifically adapted to farmers’ needs, which can help them improve their situation on their respective farms. However, not every farmer attends these courses, indicating a need to strengthen the programmes, conduct information campaigns to raise awareness, and improve accessibility, especially for farmers and agricultural labourers.

Ride-hailing drivers’ working conditions and social protection in China

ABSTRACT This article aims to examine ride-hailing drivers’ working conditions and social protection in China. Through interviews with 25 ride-hailing drivers in Beijing, we found that their working conditions are precarious, stressful, surveilled, and their social protection exhibits features of inadequacy and fragmentation. They are excluded from social insurance for urban employees due to the lack of a formal employment relationship. Instead, they largely participate in the medical insurance for residents, but its insurance benefits are much lower than those for urban employees. Furthermore, citizens’ participation in residents’ medical insurance is determined by their hukou (i.e. household registration) residency. Internal migrant drivers are only entitled to be insured at their origin where their hukou is located. Despite working in the same occupation and living in the same city, internal migrant drivers and Beijing-native drivers have distinct social insurance benefits. Thus, we propose the binary classification of de jure/de facto residency, which contributes to a deeper understanding of social protection for non-standard forms of employment.

Exploring the potential for enhancing green skills training, innovation and sustainable livelihoods in informal spaces of Harare, Zimbabwe: identifying gaps and opportunities

PurposeDespite growing emphasis on green skills, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods, research remains limited in the informal economy, particularly in developing countries. This study investigates gaps in green skills training, innovations and livelihoods among informal metal fabricators, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within this sector. Specifically, the study critically assesses the potential for upskilling informal metal fabricators through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and university innovation hubs.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative interpretive methodology, we conducted 40 key informant interviews with small-scale informal metal fabricators operating in Magaba and Gaza home industries, two of Harare’s largest home industries in Zimbabwe. Subsequent key informant interviews were held with TVET educators and innovation hub lecturers. Observations were carried out over a period of three months to comprehensively explore the issues under investigation.FindingsGender disparities persist within informal innovation spaces, with women making strides in the traditionally male-dominated field of metal fabrication. However, challenges such as prejudices, stigma, ridicule and abuse hinder women’s full participation in manufacturing processes, often relegating them to less physically demanding roles like customer engagement and product marketing. Inequities in support for green skills training were evident, with the innovation hub model primarily catering to formally educated youth in universities, neglecting the active involvement of notable informal innovators with limited formal education. While a gradual shift toward renewable energy sources is observable in the informal economy, government-owned TVET institutions show minimal or no adjustments in course content to incorporate essential green skills. In light of the findings, the study proposes measures to ensure equitable green skills training, innovation and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the informal metal fabrication sector.Originality/valueThe findings of this study represent a novel contribution the gaps in green skills training in the informal economy and how these inform reforms for vocational learning and training practices and the incubation of innovations.

Beyond the formal economy. Social cooperatives for labour integration under the pressure of market competitiveness

Purpose Using the theoretical framework of the substantive economy, this study aims to point out the main aspects of the substantive mode of operation that help the integration of disadvantaged people while at the same time shedding light on the barriers that hinder economically efficient functioning in a market economy. Design/methodology/approach Research focuses on Hungarian rural work integration social cooperatives, which are engaged in producing activity by the employment of disadvantaged people. In the research, mixed methods were applied: results of a questionnaire survey covering 102 cooperatives, as well as 20 semi-structured interviews and experiences from the field. A total of 17 indicators were used to explore the substantive operational features, promoting mechanisms and problems in the following areas: organisational goals and outcomes; integrating roles and functions; productive functions; and the embeddedness of cooperatives. Findings As for results, substantive operational mechanisms and tools that support the integration of disadvantaged people have been identified such as mentoring, social incentives, the ability to create local value or the expansion of local community services. At the same time, several barriers have been detected that make it difficult to operate economically, such as cooperatives being a stepping stone for workers, excessive product heterogeneity or the lack of vertically structured bridging relationships. Originality/value The value of the study is to counterpoint the mechanisms promoting social purposes of work-integration social cooperatives and the obstacles to their long-term sustainability within the framework of the substantive economy, to better understand their functioning and the less quantifiable factors of their performance.

Unveiling Gender Discrimination in the Workplace: A Qualitative Analysis of Vietnamese Women's Narratives

This study explores the dynamics of gender discrimination in the workplace through the qualitative narratives of 30 Vietnamese women across various professional sectors. Using a purposive sampling method, the research employs semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth insights into the participants' experiences, which were analyzed through thematic analysis. Key findings reveal prevalent workplace gender discrimination, characterized by subtle biases, traditional gender role enforcement, and challenges linked to maternity and career advancement. These issues manifest through both overt marginalization and covert devaluation of women's professional contributions, highlighting the resilience and coping strategies women employ to navigate such environments. While the study focuses on formal employment sectors and may not capture all employment types in Vietnam, it provides valuable perspectives for policymakers and organizational leaders aiming to mitigate gender disparities. Recommendations include enhanced diversity training, transparent career advancement policies, and improved work-life balance support. This research contributes original insights into the complexities of gender discrimination, emphasizing cultural specifics that influence workplace dynamics in Vietnam.

Inspiration and Innovation of Informal Economic Governance under Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Reconstruction of Street Vendor Governance Model in Fuyang City

Vallholder economy is an important driving force for urban economic and social development in the new era. Under the background of socialism with Chinese characteristics, through comparative research, empirical research, investigation and analysis, this paper concluded that the street vendor economy is informal, long-term and complex. For the governance of Chinese street vendors, we should learn from the theory, absorb foreign experience based on the national conditions and urban status, and find the breakthrough of governance from the root. Formulate “flexible” flexible policies, optimize space politics, divide and rule, break through the constraints of regularization, reconstruct and innovate the economic governance model of Chinese street vendors, and realize the “Sinicization of governance concept, local governance policy and contemporary governance model”. The research has enlightenment and reference significance for enriching the development of political economy theory, innovating the informal economic governance model and developing the informal economy in the new era.

How do we understand the value of drug checking as a component of harm reduction services? A qualitative exploration of client and provider perspectives

BackgroundMortality related to opioid overdose in the U.S. has risen sharply in the past decade. In California, opioid overdose death rates more than tripled from 2018 to 2021, and deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl increased more than seven times in those three years alone. Heightened attention to this crisis has attracted funding and programming opportunities for prevention and harm reduction interventions. Drug checking services offer people who use drugs the opportunity to test the chemical content of their own supply, but are not widely used in North America. We report on qualitative data from providers and clients of harm reduction and drug checking services, to explore how these services are used, experienced, and considered.MethodsWe conducted in-depth semi-structured key informant interviews across two samples of drug checking stakeholders: “clients” (individuals who use drugs and receive harm reduction services) and “providers” (subject matter experts and those providing clinical and harm reduction services to people who use drugs). Provider interviews were conducted via Zoom from June-November, 2022. Client interviews were conducted in person in San Francisco over a one-week period in November 2022. Data were analyzed following the tenets of thematic analysis.ResultsWe found that the value of drug checking includes but extends well beyond overdose prevention. Participants discussed ways that drug checking can fill a regulatory vacuum, serve as a tool of informal market regulation at the community level, and empower public health surveillance systems and clinical response. We present our findings within three key themes: (1) the role of drug checking in overdose prevention; (2) benefits to the overall agency, health, and wellbeing of people who use drugs; and (3) impacts of drug checking services at the community and systems levels.ConclusionThis study contributes to growing evidence of the effectiveness of drug checking services in mitigating risks associated with substance use, including overdose, through enabling people who use and sell drugs to test their own supply. It further contributes to discussions around the utility of drug checking and harm reduction, in order to inform legislation and funding allocation.

Integrating Faith and Fashion: How Muslim Women in Ghana Are Redefining Workplace Dress Codes

This study assessed the interplay of fashion, religion, and employment among Muslim women in Ghana’s formal sector. It examined their fashion consumption behaviors and how religion influences their attire choices, focusing on their awareness of Islamic fashion laws. Employing a concurrent mixed method approach, the study targeted Muslim women in various formal institutions in Accra, Ghana. Data collection involved questionnaires, observations, and interviews. Descriptive and Regression analysis was conducted to test hypotheses. The study discovered a significant association between contemporary fashion features in Muslim women’s styles and their knowledge of Islamic fashion laws. It also revealed that Islamic and contemporary fashion characteristics influence their understanding of clothing regulations under Islamic law. The study suggested the integration of religious beliefs in the fashion industry. It recommends involving professionals with religious and fashion expertise in education, promoting current trends in fashion that align with Islamic laws, and enforcing workplace rights for Muslim women. This study provides unique insights into how Islamic laws influence the fashion choices of Muslim women in Ghana’s formal sector, bridging a gap in understanding the intersection of faith, fashion, and professional life. Additionally, the findings highlight the dual impact of fashion and religion not only on personal identity but also on professional engagement within the workplace. These results emphasize the need for a more inclusive fashion industry that respects and reflects diverse religious tenets while supporting women in their career endeavors. This integrative approach could potentially enhance workplace inclusion and boost the career prospects of Muslim women in the formal sector.

Double Dualism, Economic Growth Slowdown, and Falling Income Inequality in Thailand

Thailand has experienced a decline in income inequality coupled with unimpressive economic growth since the end of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. This paper uses the structuralist approach to understand how these concurrent economic phenomena have become deeply intertwined. We argue that this intertwining results from Thailand’s economic structure, manifesting two types of dualism: (i) the dualism of the formal–informal sectors and (ii) the dualism of the dynamic–stagnant sectors. A decline in the informal sector in recent years coincides with a decrease in income inequality. Further, the second type of dualism between the dynamic and stagnant sectors has emerged since 2000. The stagnant sectors’ employment share has grown faster than that of the dynamic sectors, resulting in a slowdown in economic growth and less inequality. The decline of the informal sector and the rise of the stagnant sectors are the primary engines weighing down economic growth and reducing income inequality in Thailand.

The Impact of the Street-Stall Economy on the Quality of Employment in the Informal Economy

As a form of informal economy, the street-stall economy has a positive role in providing employment opportunities, but at the same time, there are problems such as low quality of employment and insufficient social security. Therefore, the question explored in this paper is whether the quality of informal economy employment generated by the ground stall economy is an effective job and whether it can be a way for low-income groups to earn a living. In this paper, the composition and proportion of the intangible costs of the stall economy and the average monthly income of the urban low-income group are analyzed to determine whether the informal jobs created by the stall economy can meet the basic needs of the urban low-income group. Taking the average per capital income of the low-income group as the standard, if the stall economy can steadily bring more than the standard net income to the low-income group, it means that the informal jobs created by the stall economy are effective jobs. The study shows that nearly 30% of the vendors in the statistics of the monthly net income of the street-stall economy are unable to reach the average income of the low-income group in the city, indicating that the informal economy jobs created by the street-stall economy are of low quality and are not enough to satisfy the basic living needs of the lowest-income group and that the proportion of effective jobs is low.