Can too much formalization be bad for poverty alleviation?
Earlier this year, there was an interesting article which pointed out the important role the informal sector plays in developing countries, particularly on the African continent. Apart from being over-financialised, which reduces the incentives to create “real jobs” the other structural problem facing the South African economy is its over-formalisation. The informal sector accounts for […]
The Great Informalisation: About 50% of Indian GDP from unorganized sector
From a special report on India’s economy It might surprise some to know that most of the debates on labour issues in India, including the provision of social security & workplace challenges, actually revolve only around 7% of the total workforce. And yet, as India integrates with the global economy, its the 93% majority that […]
Acknowledging the value of the informal sector as an economic engine
Chief John Kolawole, the General Secretary of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on Friday urged the Federal Government to harness the informal sector for economic growth. Kolawole told newsmen in Lagos that the sector was well endowed with economic resources that had not been exploited. “The informal sector, which is made up of hairdressers, […]
