Exploring trends in labor informality in Latin America, 1990-2010

Date

2012

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Center for Distributive, Labor and Social Studies (CEDLAS), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, AR

Abstract

Labor informality is a pervasive characteristic of the labor markets in Latin America, and a central issue in the public policy debate. This paper discusses the concept of labor informality and implements alternative definitions using microdata from around 300 national household surveys in all Latin American countries. The analysis covers two decades: while labor informality, defined as lack of social protection related to employment, remained with few changes in the 1990s, there is a discernible downward pattern during the 2000s in most countries. These movements reveal a counter-cyclical behavior of labor informality, that may be linked to segmentation in the labor market.

Description

Keywords

LABOUR INFORMALITY, EMPLOYMENT, LATIN AMERICA, LABOUR MARKET, LABOUR LAW, LABOUR LEGISLATION, LABOUR POLICY, LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, INFORMAL SECTOR, SOCIAL POLICY, SOCIAL LEGISLATION, SOCIAL SECURITY, SOCIAL EQUITY, LABOUR MARKET

Citation

DOI