A 10-city study across three continents offers rich insights into the lives of workers in informal employment, including their contributions, challenges and how governments and other players help and hinder their work.

In 2012, WIEGO launched the Informal Economy Monitoring Study to understand how home-based workers, street vendors and waste pickers are affected by economic trends, urban policies and practices, value chain dynamics, and other economic and social forces. The study examined contributions made by workers, their linkages to the formal economy, and which governments, institutions and membership-based organizations helped or hindered their work and lives.

Coordinated by WIEGO, study partners included: Asiye eTafuleni (South Africa), Asociación de Recicladores de Bogotá (ARB) (Bogota), Consorcio de Investigación Económica y Social (CIES) (Peru), FEDEVAL (Peru), HomeNet Pakistan, Instituto Nenuca de Desenvolvimento Sustentável de Belo Horizonte (INSEA/BH) (Brazil),; Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) (Ghana), Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) (India), Kenya National Alliance of Street Vendors and Informal Traders (KENASVIT) (Kenya), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) (India), and StreetNet Ghana Alliance.

Project Activities

Undertaking qualitative and quantitative research with workers across 10 cities

Research methods were designed in 2011-2012 and research involving focus groups and surveys was undertaken in 2012. Participants took part in a data analysis training workshop in South Africa, and worked on analyzing data and advocacy strategies.

    Sector Reports:

    Research Reports

    Informal Economy Monitoring Study Sector Report: Home-Based Workers

    This report synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data from the first (2012) round of IEMS fieldwork in the home-based work sector in three cities: Ahmedabad, India Bangkok, Thailand Lahore, Pakistan

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    Research Reports

    Informal Economy Monitoring Study Sector Report: Street Vendors

    This report synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data from the first (2012) round of IEMS fieldwork in the street vendor sector in five cities:

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    Research Reports

    Informal Economy Monitoring Study Sector Report: Waste Pickers

    Waste pickers are one of the three urban informal worker groups – along with street vendors and home-based workers – who are the focus of the 10-city Informal Economy Monitoring Study (IEMS).  

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    City Reports:

    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Accra, Ghana

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Home-Based Workers in Ahmedabad, India

    In Ahmedabad, WIEGO partnered with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) to carry out this study. This report outlines key findings and policy recommendations for the city of Ahmedabad.

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Ahmedabad, India

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Home-Based Workers in Bangkok, Thailand

    In Bangkok, WIEGO partnered with HomeNet Thailand to carry out this study. This report outlines key findings and policy recommendations for the city of Bangkok.

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    Research Reports

    Executive Summary – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Waste Pickers in Bogotá, Colombia

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Durban, South Africa

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    Research Reports

    City Report: Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Waste Pickers in Durban, South Africa

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Home-based Workers in Lahore, Pakistan

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    Research Reports

    Executive Summary – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Lima, Peru

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Nakuru, Kenya

    In Nakuru, WIEGO partnered with Kenya National Association of Street Vendors and Informal Traders (KENASVIT) to carry out this study.

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Waste Pickers in Nakuru, Kenya

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    Research Reports

    City Report – Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Waste Pickers in Pune, India

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    Policy advocacy and impact

    The study’s findings were disseminated in the 10 cities to planning authorities, institutions involved in employment programmes, and academic institutions. Advocacy tools, based on the findings, were prepared for the worker organizations, equipping them to engage with authorities whose decisions impact their members' lives and livelihoods.

    IEMS Handout

    Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Action Research and Concrete Outcomes

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