Shreshti Rawat on inequality of opportunity: informal sector estimates for India and policy implications

Shreshti Rawat will present at the WIDER Seminar Series on 4 June 2019. 

Abstract – Inequality of opportunity: informal sector estimates for India and policy implications

The persistence of a large informal sector in India has been a matter of debate since independence. The concern has mostly centered around archaic labour laws which prohibit firms from entering the formal sector. Several studies lend support to the argument of formalization.

However, researchers have questioned whether the focus should be on improving employability and productivity within the informal sector rather than create incentives for informal firms to formalize. Further, there exists inequality in wages even within the informal sector. While this inequality has been established, what remains to be analyzed are the reasons behind it. The objective of this study is to look at the inequality of opportunity that exists for informal sector workers and understand the circumstances that characterize the informal sector in different parts of the country.

About the speaker

Shreshti Rawat is a PhD student at Indira Gandhi Institute of development Research, Mumbai. She holds an M.A in Development Economics and B.A in Economics.

Shreshti's research interests are in development economics focusing primarily on the labour economics. Her work focuses on the informal sector in developing countries in particular.

WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases recent and ongoing work on key topics in development economics. The weekly sessions held in Helsinki are open to local and visiting researchers, policy makers, and others interested in development topics. Click here to learn more.

Seminars will be live streamed on Facebook and recordings and presentations will be available after the event here.

For more information email richardson@wider.unu.edu