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Does the Enforcement of Labor Regulations Reduce Informality? The Case of Peru

Author

Listed:
  • María Florencia Pinto

    (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP)

  • Yulia Valdivia Rivera

    (University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy)

  • Hernan Winkler

    (World Bank)

Abstract

This article examines the effects of strengthened labor regulation enforcement on labor market outcomes in Peru from 2010 to 2019. In 2013, the Peruvian government established a national labor inspection agency, which was progressively rolled out nationwide. This reform led to a substantial increase in the frequency and severity of fines imposed on formal firms. Despite this heightened enforcement, our analysis using extended two-way fixed effects models finds no significant effects on overall employment levels. Moreover, there is no evidence of changes along either the intensive margin—informal employment within formal firms—or the extensive margin—the share of employment in informal firms. These findings suggest that increased enforcement of labor regulations did not lead to measurable shifts in labor informality or employment outcomes during this period.

Suggested Citation

  • María Florencia Pinto & Yulia Valdivia Rivera & Hernan Winkler, 2026. "Does the Enforcement of Labor Regulations Reduce Informality? The Case of Peru," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0363, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    • Handle: RePEc:dls:wpaper:0363
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs
    • O23 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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