nep-iue New Economics Papers
on Informal and Underground Economics
Issue of 2020‒11‒09
three papers chosen by
Catalina Granda Carvajal
Universidad de Antioquia

  1. Applying labour law to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises a comparative study of 16 countries By Vargas, Ana María.
  2. The municipios facing COVID-19 in Brazil: socioeconomic vulnerabilities, transmisssion mechanisms and public policies By François Roubaud; Mireille Razafindrakoto; João Saboia; Marta Castilho; Valeria Pero
  3. Cambio tecnológico, mercado de trabajo y ocupaciones emergentes en México By Bensusán Areous, Graciela; Florez Vaquiro, Nelson

  1. By: Vargas, Ana María.
    Abstract: This study dentifies a general trend towards the extension of equal protection to all workers regardless of the enterprise size, including those in the informal economy and in self-employment. To achieve that, governments are relying not only on labour laws but also on other frameworks and policies. This study did not find any country that completely excluded MSMEs from the application of labour laws. Whereselective exclusions or special regimes are in place, these apply mainly to micro and small enterprises, while workers in medium-sized enterprises are often fully covered. Invoking the concept of “social control”, this study highlights a number of innovative approaches used to achieve enforcement of, and compliance with, labour laws among MSMEs – ranging from targeted inspections to wider campaigns designed to raise awareness and change social norms and perceptions.
    Keywords: workers rights, labour law, small enterprise, microenterprise, self employed
    Date: 2020
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ilo:ilowps:995098593302676&r=all
  2. By: François Roubaud (DIAL-LEDa, IRD, Université Paris-Dauphine, PSL Université); Mireille Razafindrakoto (DIAL-LEDa, IRD, Université Paris-Dauphine, PSL Université); João Saboia (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro); Marta Castilho (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro); Valeria Pero (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)
    Abstract: Early October 2020, Brazil was one of the countries most affected by COVID-19, both in number of proven cases (3rd) and in number of deaths (2nd), while the first wave of the pandemic is not over yet. This paper intends to provide knowledge on the development of the pandemic in Brazil and therefore to feed into the reflection on the policies implemented or to be promoted to combat it. The study has two objectives: to identify the risk factors for contracting COVID-19 and dying from it, according to different social categories; to highlight potential transmission channels as well as the effect of a number of measures. Carried out at the level of all Brazilian municipalities (5,570), the analysis is based on the matching of different statistical and administrative databases, involving the processing of tens of millions of observations. To our knowledge, it is the first of its kind in Brazil. The econometric analysis conducted in five points in time shows three main results. First, structurally vulnerable populations are the most affected: non-white, poor, poor health, favela residents, informal people, highlighting the effect of socioeconomic inequalities when facing of the disease. Second, "density" (both within neighborhoods and housing) and "mobility" are decisive. Third, we highlight some policies consequences. In the municipios where containment measures were taken earlier, the pandemic is better controlled. The Auxilio emergencial has a mitigating effect in localities where there are relatively more informal workers, who can, thanks to it, limit their business trips and better protect themselves. Finally, COVID-19 hits the most in the municipios more favorable to President Bolsonaro. The president's ambiguous speech and attitudes may induce his supporters to adopt risky behavior more often and to suffer the consequences. casos comprovados (3º) quanto em número de óbitos (2º), enquanto a primeira onda da pandemia ainda não tinha terminado. Este artigo pretende fornecer novos conhecimentos sobre o desenvolvimento da pandemia no Brasil e, portanto, alimentar a reflexão sobre as políticas implementadas ou a serem promovidas para combatê-la. O estudo tem dois objetivos: identificar os fatores de risco para contrair e morrer de COVID-19, segundo diferentes categorias sociais; realçar os canais de transmissão potenciais, bem como o efeito de uma série de medidas. Realizada ao nível de todos os municípios do país (5.570), a análise baseia-se no confronto de diferentes bases de dados estatísticos e administrativos, envolvendo o processamento de dezenas de milhões de observações. Até onde sabemos, é o primeiro estudo do gênero no Brasil. As estimativas econométricas, referentes a cinco datas differentes, mostram três resultados principais. Em primeiro lugar, as populações estruturalmente vulneráveis são as mais afetadas: não brancos, pobres, saúde precária, moradores de favelas, trabalhadores informais, evidenciando o efeito das desigualdades socioeconômicas frente à doença. Em segundo lugar, os fatores de "densidade" (tanto dentro dos bairros quanto na habitação) e "mobilidade" são decisivos. Terceiro, destacamos a influência de elementos da política e similares. Nos municípios onde as medidas de contenção foram tomadas mais cedo, a pandemia é melhor controlada. O Auxilio Emergencial tem um efeito mitigador nas localidades onde há relativamente mais trabalhadores informais, que podem, graças a ele, limitar seus deslocamentos para o trabalho e proteger-se melhor. Finalmente, a CoVid-19 causa mais estragos nos municípios mais favoráveis ao presidente Bolsonaro. O discurso ambíguo do presidente poderia estar induzindo seus apoiadores a adotarem comportamentos de risco com mais frequência e a sofrerem as consequências.
    Keywords: Brazil, COVID-19, Municipalities, Socioeconomic Inequality, Informality, Public Policy, Brasil, COVID-19, Municípios, Desigualdades Socioeconômicas, Informalidade, Politicas Públicas
    JEL: I14 I18 I38
    Date: 2020–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt202012&r=all
  3. By: Bensusán Areous, Graciela; Florez Vaquiro, Nelson
    Abstract: Los efectos del cambio tecnológico en el empleo están en el centro de las preocupaciones de los Gobiernos. Si bien estas transformaciones pueden representar una oportunidad, también implican un reto, por sus potenciales efectos disruptivos en los empleos y las habilidades demandadas. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las transformaciones en el mercado de trabajo en México y avanzar en la cuantificación de las ocupaciones emergentes en el contexto de las nuevas tecnologías. Se analiza la evolución del mercado de trabajo (2005-2019) y de las categorías ocupacionales, comparando las que serían más afectadas por el cambio tecnológico (manuales no calificadas) con las que estarían menos amenazadas (no manuales calificadas), según categoría de ocupación (asalariados o por cuenta propia). Se concluye que el cambio tecnológico no ha provocado hasta ahora una transformación apreciable del mercado de trabajo, caracterizado por alta informalidad y precariedad laboral. El análisis se complementa con información de entrevistas a informantes claves y trabajadores de plataforma, y un estudio sobre trabajadores vinculados a las tecnologías de la información. Se presentan también los avances institucionales dirigidos a mejorar los sistemas de información y se plantean algunas recomendaciones de política pública para avanzar en este sentido.
    Keywords: CAMBIO TECNOLOGICO, INNOVACIONES TECNOLOGICAS, EMPLEO, MERCADO DE TRABAJO, TECNOLOGIA DE LA INFORMACION, TECNOLOGIA DE LAS COMUNICACIONES, COMERCIO DE SERVICIOS, CREACION DE EMPLEOS, CONDICIONES DE TRABAJO, SECTOR INFORMAL, ENTREVISTAS, MEDICION, ESTADISTICAS DEL EMPLEO, TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS, EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR MARKET, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, TRADE IN SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT CREATION, WORKING CONDITIONS, INFORMAL SECTOR, INTERVIEWS, MEASUREMENT, EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
    Date: 2020–10–22
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:46181&r=all

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