Evaluating the Extent and Nature of the Informalization of Employment Relations in South-East Europe

European Journal of Industrial Relations Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 91–107, 2013

17 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2015

See all articles by Colin Williams

Colin Williams

University of Sheffield - School of Management

Abbi Kedir

University of Leicester - Department of Economics

Sara Nadin

University of Liverpool

Tim Vorley

University of Sheffield - School of Management

Date Written: 2013

Abstract

The analysis of employment relations needs to include work in the informal economy. For this purpose, we propose a ‘degrees of informalization’ framework that evaluates the proportion of employment relations infused with informality and the nature of this permeation. We apply this framework to South-East Europe, using evidence from a 2007 Eurobarometer survey. Informality is extensive, largely in the form of under-declared formal waged employment, although significant variations exist across countries. There is a strong correlation between capitalist societies with higher levels of labour market intervention, social protection, redistribution via social transfers and equality, and lower levels of informality.

Keywords: Bulgaria, Cyprus, dual economies, employment relations, Greece, informal economy, Romania, Slovenia, South-East Europe

JEL Classification: H26, J46, J48, K34, K42, O17

Suggested Citation

Williams, Colin and Kedir, Abbi and Nadin, Sara and Vorley, Tim, Evaluating the Extent and Nature of the Informalization of Employment Relations in South-East Europe (2013). European Journal of Industrial Relations Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 91–107, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2706677

Colin Williams (Contact Author)

University of Sheffield - School of Management ( email )

15 Conduit Road
Sheffield, S10 1FL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/management/staff/williams/index

Abbi Kedir

University of Leicester - Department of Economics ( email )

Department of Economics
Leicester LE1 7RH, Leicestershire LE1 7RH
United Kingdom

Sara Nadin

University of Liverpool ( email )

Chatham Street
Liverpool, L69 7ZH
United Kingdom

Tim Vorley

University of Sheffield - School of Management ( email )

9 Mappin Street
Sheffield, S1 4DT
United Kingdom

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