Globalisation and Informal Jobs in Developing Countries
A recent study undertaken by the ILO and WTO provides a comprehensive analysis of how trade and the informal economy interact and how well designed trade and decent work policies can contribute to more favourable employment outcomes. The report elaborates on how globalization has thus far had a limited effect in reducing labour market vulnerabilities in many developing countries, with some instances even being reported of how trade reforms have increased labour market vulnerabilities in the short term, with positive benefits accruing in terms of employment and wages only in the long term. Further, it has been argued that informal labour markets in fact weaken export performance in developing countries. The role for policy in increasing benefits from globalization to developing countries is recognized, through implementing trade reforms with an eye on job creation and also exploiting the complementarities between trade and labour market reforms. The report provides an overview of how to balance global pressures of economic integration and labour market dualism within developing countries.

Mainstreaming Gender and Social Protection for the Informal Economy –
Naila Kabeer, 2008 – This book, originally brought out by the Commonwealth Secretariat has now also been published by Routledge, India, covering aspects on the gendered dimension of risk, vulnerability, and insecurity and hence the gendered need for social protection.

Comparing Thailand and the Philippines: A Brief Overview of Social Protection Initiatives for Homebased Workers – Homenet South East Asia 2008

Indonesia: Extension of Social Insurance Coverage to the Informal Economy– ILO Provides an analysis of the social security needs assessment of workers in the informal economy in both urban and rural areas and provides a basis for the formulation of policy to extend contributory social security coverage to workers in the informal economy.

The Challenge of Employment in India – An Informal Economy Perspective – Report of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector, April 2009 – Examines deficits in employment in both quantity and quality in India

Conditions of Work and Promotion of Livelihoods in the Unorganised Sector – Report of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector, August 2007 – Analyses the conditions of work and issues in livelihood promotion along with a set of recommendations for the unorganized sector.