Formalization

How is WIEGO Helping?

• Making Visible the Magnitude of the Informal Economy

  Having official statistics on the informal economy is essential to develop adequate formalization policies and is an important bargaining tool for workers in formalization processes. WIEGO contributes to the development of international statistical concepts and classifications, and data-collection methodologies to measure informal employment and its characteristics in developing and developed countries.

  Women and men in the informal economy: A statistical update

  ICLS Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy – 2023

  Related Resources

  • Publication Women and Men in the Informal Economy: A Statistical Brief Read More

• Shaping Formalization through International Labour Standards

  At the International Labour Conference and other regional spaces, international organizations of workers in informal employment have influenced the development of thematic and sector-specific international labour standards that recognize their rights. These standards can be used to negotiate with national authorities. WIEGO supports worker organizations’ participation in standard-setting negotiations.

  Related Resources

  • Resource WIEGO Network Platform: Transitioning from the Informal to the Formal Economy in the Interests of Workers in the Informal Economy Read More

• Evidence to Debunk Myths and Make Proposals

  Social protection is a condition to achieving sustainable development. Debates on social protection and informality are underpinned on mainstream economic doctrines that see informality as a result of individual calculations to avoid costs (social protection and tax contributions), without looking at structural barriers workers face. WIEGO produces evidence and documents good practices of worker-centred approaches to extend social protection, participates in policy discussions and strengthens worker organizations’ capacities to advocate for social protection.

• Supporting Worker Organizations to Use R204 as an Advocacy Tool

  Although not binding, the ILO’s R204 constitutes an important framework for workers to negotiate with authorities for social protection, access to public services, rights recognition, and livelihoods protection. WIEGO empowers workers to use R204 to strengthen their demands.

• Formalization and Just Transition

  Climate change and measures to mitigate its impacts are disproportionately affecting workers in informal employment, particularly the most vulnerable. WIEGO advocates for a just transition that secures workers’ livelihoods and recognizes their contributions and rights. We do this through research, advocacy, making climate-resilient infrastructure proposals, and exploring the intersectionality of climate change, health and informality.

  Related Resources

  • Publication Climate-Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies: Waste Pickers’ Experiences from Brazil Read More
  • Resource A Just Transition for Workers in Informal Employment: Considerations for the 111th session of the ILC general discussion on a just transition Read More

• Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as a Pathway to Formalization

  Many workers in informal employment create cooperatives and other SSE entities that put people and the collective at the centre. WIEGO explores the potential of the SSE as a pathway to formalization, documenting experiences and good regulatory practices, participating in SSE debates and working with global networks of worker organizations to identify their positions and needs.

  Related Resources

  • Resource ILC 2022 General Discussion on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy Read More
  • Post Overturning the Productivity Mandate: Putting People at the Centre Read More

• Documenting Good Practices of Formalization

  WIEGO documents experiences and good practices of formalization to demonstrate what is possible when workers in informal employment participate in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of formalization strategies, policies and legal frameworks. This collection of cases is used to share experiences with worker organizations and authorities.

  Related Resources

  • Publication Formalization as Public Service Providers: Achievements and Obstacles for Colombia’s Waste Pickers Read More
  • Publication Implementing ILO R204 on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy: Lessons from South Africa’s Experience Read More