Voice Regulation in the Informal Economy and New Forms of Work

Abstract:
This paper draws comparisons between the situation of Black workers in Apartheid South Africa and workers in the contemporary South African informal economy. It argues that both groups share the challenge of organizing in a legal environment that does not recognize them as part of the labour force. Furthermore, it is argued that the labour movement can only represent informal workers, if they are integrated into the structures of the movement. The article analyses the following models of organising: trade unions, associations, and cooperatives.