Managing the informal economy: a theoretical debate in the light of gig economy

Informality is a historical feature of the Brazilian labor market. Its economic and social importance is undeniable. In this essay, considering the gig economy and digital labor markets phenomenon, we argue that a process of “managing the informal economy” is underway. It is observed that big compan...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Vaclavik, Marcia Cristiane, Oltramari, Andrea Poleto, Oliveira, Sidinei Rocha de
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2022
Country:Brasil
Institution:Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV)
Repository:Cadernos EBAPE.BR
Language:Portuguese
English
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.periodicos.fgv.br:article/85536
Online Access:https://periodicos.fgv.br/cadernosebape/article/view/85536
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Gig economy
Uberization
Informality
Informal work
Labor market
Uberización
Informalidad
Trabajo informal
Mercado de trabajo
Uberização
Informalidade
Trabalho informal
Mercado de trabalho
Description
Summary:Informality is a historical feature of the Brazilian labor market. Its economic and social importance is undeniable. In this essay, considering the gig economy and digital labor markets phenomenon, we argue that a process of “managing the informal economy” is underway. It is observed that big companies are mediating labor relations through online platforms, using informal work. This phenomenon reorganizes and amplifies informality, creating a new employment statute by merging characteristics of formality (such as control, performance evaluation, and financial incentives) and informality (due to the autonomous nature and the lack of employment relationship with the organization). In Brazil, app-based work has grown substantially, reinforcing the need for theoretical and empirical investigation.