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Informal Economy Topic(s): Organizing & Organizations in the Informal Economy

Mather, Celia. 2012.  WIEGO Research Project: Informal Workers’ Organizing.  

Workers OrganizingThis paper provides an overview of informal workers' own self-organization across a number of sectors.

 

Findings highlight both the special characterisitics of each sector and the differences between them.

 

Primary Sectors studied include domestic workers, home-based workers, waste pickers and street vendors.

 

This paper is part of WIEGO's initial contribution Global Technical Programme at the Solidarity Center in the U.S. (www.solidaritycenter.org)

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Bonner, Christine and Dave Spooner. February 2011.  "Organizing in the Informal Economy: A Challenge for Trade Unions. ."  International Politics and Society,  Vol. IPG 2/11,  

Abstract:
This paper provides an overview of political organising in the informal economy, with a specific focus on the possibilities for trade unions to organise informal workers. Two common strategic issues around which organizing can occur are discussed: labour rights and representation, and economic/business development. Organizations often combine the two, and it is not uncommon that a union forms a cooperative or that a cooperative addresses political issues. The paper brings up several organizational models, including trade unions that extend their reach into the informal economy; unions formed by informal workers; cooperatives; non-governmental organizations; member based organizations; and community-based organizations. Furthermore international networks of informal workers‟ associations are discussed. The paper also discusses the international trade union movement and the informal economy. Through a wide range of examples it is shown that international union movement is realising the importance of organizing people in the informal economy who have traditionally been outside of the reach of union membership.

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Bonner, Christine and Dave Spooner. January 2011.  "Organizing Labour in the Informal Economy: Institutional Forms & Relationships."  Labour, Capital and Society,  Vol. 44,  Issue No. 1.  

Abstract in French and English. Article in English.

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Glovackas, Sergejus. 2010.  Informal workers Organising and Representation (In Central and Eastern Europe)..  Unpublished report..  access publication

Bonner, Chris. 2010.  Domestic Workers Around the World: Organising for Empowerment.  

Paper prepared for the Social Law Project Conference, 7-8 May 2010, Cape Town.

Abstract:
This paper examines a number of organising models and strategies of domestic workers. The organizations include trade unions; cooperatives; networks; alliances; non-governmental organizations; member based organizations; and community-based organizations. Furthermore, the paper analyses the links between organisational models and strategies, leading to some conclusions about the primary strategies of specific types of organisations: grassroots organising and base building are used by unions, MBOs, CBOs, and cooperatives; collective negotiations and representation are used by unions and MBOs; economic and livelihood development is a strategy associated with cooperatives; policy, legal and rights advocacy are used by NGOs, CBOs, networks, and alliances; mobilisation and campaigning are used by networks, alliances, and unions; social, welfare, training functions are linked to NGOs and CBOs. While these can often be regarded as primary strategies, the organisations often use multiple strategies and sometimes blur the lines between different organizational models.

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Rusling, Sara. 2010.  "Approaches to Basic Service Delivery for the Working Poor: Assessing the Impact of Mahila Housing Trust’s Parivartan Slum Upgrading Programme in Ahmedabad, India."  Urban Policies Briefing Note,  No. 1.   access publication

Jhabvala, Renana Jhabvala, Sapna Desai and Jignasa Dave. 2010.  Empowering Women in an Insecure World. Joining SEWA Makes a Difference..  SEWA.  

Abstract:
This paper examines what significance membership in SEWA has. SEWA, a trade union of self-employed poor women, uses several strategies to aid its members: organizing for collective strength; help in access to financial services; capacity building; and social security. Based on the findings of the Gujarat Social Income and Insecurity Survey this paper argues that members of SEWA have relatively better access to credit and other financial support. Furthermore, members of SEWA feel empowered and share a feeling of control over their income.

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Theron, Jan. 2010.  Options for Organizing Waste Pickers in South Africa.  WIEGO Organizing Series,  

Abstract:
This booklet discusses the organising possibilities of waste pickers in South Africa. It is written as a guide for waste pickers and others in the informal economy contemplating organizing. Different types of organizations are discussed along with other practical aspects of building informal workers’ organizations. The paper also briefly introduces a case study of a waste pickers’ cooperative in Sasolburg, South Africa. The cooperative aimed to decrease the waste pickers’ need to compete with each other, and thus build solidarity and increase their productivity.

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Samson, Melanie. 2010.  Organizing Reclaimers in Tshwane, South Africa: Lessons from Top Down and Bottom Up Experiences.  WIEGO Organizing Series,  

Abstract:
This paper examines attempts to organize reclaimers/waste pickers in the landfills of Tshwane municipality in South Africa. The paper first looks at top down attempts by the municipality to help the reclaimers by creating work programs and creating privately owned buy-back-centres where the reclaimers could sell their goods. However, the work programs failed due to their economic unsustainability, and the launch of the buy centres failed because the companies running them tried to exploit the situation, with the result that the centres did not help the reclaimers.
The paper also examines a city wide network of landfill committees formed by people working in the landfills. Each landfill has a committee that negotiates with employers and managers if such exist and work to maintain an orderly and safe working environment. They also control access of reclaimers to the landfill. The Tshwane Network was established to negotiate more effectively with buyers over prices. The advantage of a city wide network is that buyers cannot play the different landfills against each other in pressing for lower prices. The network also engages with the municipality. The reclaimers do not have an official platform for negotiations with the municipality, but they have met with the municipality and feel that as representatives of the network they have more authority then as representatives of individual landfills. In addition, the network addresses issues at specific landfills; promotes establishing of cooperatives; and facilitates exchange of information between the landfills.

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Ally, Shireen. 2010.  From Servants to Workers: South African Domestic Workers and the Democratic State.  Cornell University Press.  access publication
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