A Framework for Analyzing Social Protection for Workers in the Informal Economy

By Francie Lund on January 01, 2005

The volume "Women at Work: Challenges for Latin America" compiles presentations from the seminar “Women at Work: A Challenge for Development,” held in Santiago, Chile, in March 2001 in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. The purpose of the seminar was to review the progress achieved by women in the labor market as well as challenges facing the Region of the Americas. The seminar explored ways of expanding economic opportunities for women, especially those from disadvantaged groups, such as youths, indigenous and Afro-descendant populations, and the poor. The chapters focus on a set of topics deemed to be particularly relevant in the current debate in the region about women’s successes and challenges in the labor market. WIEGO's Francie Lund contributed a chapter on social protection for workers in the informal economy. She points out that when developing social protection policies for workers, it should be taken into account that women are involved in many types of work, along a continuum from wholly formal employment, to informal employment, with many gradations in between. As less and less work is under the aegis of labor regulation, more of the conditions of work are determined by rules, regulations, and practices, both formal and informal, which govern production in a particular sector or industry. Women are not proportionately represented in positions of leadership in these sectors, and their voices are not heard on important issues of policy and implementation. Her chapter gives a brief international overview of the changing world of work, of the informal economy, and of the position of women in the informal economy, with special reference to access to social security and protection. It then presents the main components of the new approach, with a framework that can be used for cross-country analysis. Examples are specifically chosen to reflect the worldwide situation, including Latin America.

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