Many people living in chronic poverty do have jobs, with the majority working in the informal economy. However the poor quality of much of this work, including its low pay, dangerous conditions and insecurity means that it is very difficult for people to use work as a route out of poverty. This Policy Brief recommends that governments formally recognise different types of informal wage employment, placing this type of work under legal frameworks governing labour markets. It also emphasises the need for goverments to increase the quantity and quality of work for chronically poor people and to make investments in human capital, infrastructure and social protection.
This Policy Brief is based on the research and analysis in the Employment Policy Guide: Working out of chronic poverty.
Author: Alison O'Connell.
