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A new social contract inclusive of informal workers

Author

Listed:
  • Martha Chen
  • Sophie Plagerson
  • Laura Alfers

Abstract

This paper makes the case that current social contracts are often inadequate, irrelevant, or unjust for informal workers. It outlines three possible future scenarios: the bad old contract, an even worse contract, and a better new contract. Under the bad old contract, informal workers lacked legal recognition, were stigmatized and penalized, and were excluded as partners. The intensification of predatory capitalism, repressive state policies and the collusion of state and capital, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic recession, makes the possibility of a worse new deal all too real.

Suggested Citation

  • Martha Chen & Sophie Plagerson & Laura Alfers, 2022. "A new social contract inclusive of informal workers," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-49, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2022-49
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2022-49-new-social-contract-inclusive-informal-workers.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:wbk:wbpubs:30435 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Adelheid Biesecker & Uta von Winterfeld, 2018. "Notion of multiple crisis and feminist perspectives on social contract," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 279-293, May.
    3. Menevis UZBAY PIRILI & Mustafa PIRILI, 2015. "A New Social Contract: Rethinking the Role of the State Towards Post- 2015 Development Agenda," Ege Academic Review, Ege University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 15(2), pages 253-264.
    4. Dibyendu Maiti & Kunal Sen, 2010. "The Informal Sector in India," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 5(1), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lone Riisgaard & Nina Torm & Godbertha Kinyondo & Winnie Mitullah & Anne Kamau & Aloyce Gervas & Raphael Indimuli, 2024. "Challenging the formality bias: The organization of informal work, working relations, and collective agency in Kenya and Tanzania," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 42(1), January.
    2. Danny Buckley & Natalia Vershinina & Peter Rodgers, 2025. "Exploring Informal Work: Gaining Legitimation through Nudging," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 39(2), pages 267-289, April.

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