Deep dive 7: Routes to economic inclusion in grassroots, popular and informal economies
Jul 10, 2025 | 1:15 PM - 2:30 PMPuerta de Oro - Deep dive room 3
Jul 10, 2025 | 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Puerta de Oro - Deep dive room 3
Description
Labour informality remains a critical challenge in Latin America, despite considerable efforts to address it, more than half of workers in the region were in informal employment. While it is an obstacle to longer-term growth, competitiveness and productivity, informality also impacts workers’ health, safety and well-being, and hinders their access to training and skills development, as well as to social security benefits and labour rights.
With high informality in some countries, the social and solidarity economy - closely linked to the popular economy, which includes informal and community-based activities led by self-employed workers, cooperatives, and small enterprises - offers pathways to formal employment. In particular, co-operatives, often easier to set up due to lower entry barriers and regulatory burdens, can help address issues such as poverty, unemployment and the informal economy. This session will explore the innovative solutions the social and solidarity economy offers to help Latin American economies transition towards more formal activities and worker security.
