CWW213 | Informality and the World of Work

Course Information

  • 2023-24
  • CWW213
  • 5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., Master's Programme in Public Policy
  • III, IV, V
  • Nov 2023
  • Elective Course

Course Description

Recent data indicate that a majority of the working population world-wide are engaged in informal forms of work or work in economic units that are by and large fall outside formal regulation.

This course examines the reasons for such work arrangements falling outside the scope of the ‘formal’. It focuses on the challenges in defining, identifying and measuring informality and also explores what forms of work continue to remain outside the formal/informal divide.

The course examines specific forms of informality across various sectors and jurisdictions around the world. The course also seeks to understand why economic development has been accompanied by high level of informality, how social regulation plays a role in shaping informality, The course examines the various legal and policy options to address the decent work deficits and vulnerability that are a feature of informality.

This is an elective course offered to the 4th/5th year BA LLB (Hons), LL M, as well as MPP students. This course builds on the labour law and public policy courses previously completed by the BA LLB (Hons), LL M and MPP students.

Faculty

Dr. Kamala Sankaran

Professor of Law, Ford Foundation Chair in Public Interest Law