Propositions on Trade Unions and Informal Employment in Times of Globalization

Abstract:
This article argues for increased trade union involvement in the informal economy and makes suggestions on how trade unions could go about organising informal workers. It introduces cases where unions have extended their reach to informal workers, as well as cases where new unions have been created specifically to organise informal workers. In addition, international networks of informal economy organisations are introduced. It is suggested that trade union activities in the informal economy should build upon these existing organisational networks, and that stronger alliances should be built between the international trade union movement and movement of informal workers.