Resource guide on the informal economy

The term “informal economy” refers to all economic activities by workers and economic units that are – in law or in practice – not covered or insufficiently covered by formal arrangements. Their activities are not included in the law, which means that they are operating outside the formal reach of the law; or they are not covered in practice, which means that – although they are operating within the formal reach of the law, the law is not applied or not enforced; or the law discourages compliance because it is inappropriate, burdensome, or imposes excessive costs.

Resolution concerning decent work and the informal economy, ILC 90, 2002 pdf 57 KB

On this page: How to find more information on the informal economy through Labordoc • International Labour Standards • Statistics • Key ILO documents • Databases • ILO Links • External Links

How to find more information on the informal economy through Labordoc

Books and journal articles from Labordoc, the ILO Library's database on the world of work, which cover the informal economy from different perspectives

International Labour Standards

• C150 Labour administration, 1978
• R169 Employment policy, 1984
• R189 Job creation and medium-sized enterprises, 1998
• R193 Promotion of cooperatives, 2002
• R195 Human resources development, 2004

ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

• Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• C29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930
• C87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948
• C98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
• C100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951
• C105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957
• C111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958
• C138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973
• C182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999

Statistics

• ILO compendium of official statistics, 2002, Hussmans, Ralf, et du Jeu, Brigitte
• Labour force surveys

Statistical methods

• Measuring informal economy, 2004, Hussmans, Ralf pdf 209 KB
• KILM 7. Employment in informal economy
• Report of the Conference, 17th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, 2003 pdf 684 KB