Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/145273 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10139
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We empirically deconstruct informal employment in China into private business owners and casual workers without job contracts. Survey data from 2007 and 2013 document a rise in informal employment to the point where it exceeds formal employment, potentially an unintended consequence of the 2008 New Labour Contract Law. Compared with formal employees and business owners, casual workers report the lowest monetary and subjective wellbeing although business owners work longer hours with less social protection. Descriptive statistics and multivariate modelling reveal formal employees tend to have more favoured characteristics, often being educated, male, healthy and able bodied. Casual workers are more likely to have the characteristics of vulnerable groups, so the growth of casual employment is particularly concerning. There are indications that running small business is not always a sign of vulnerability and it may provide job flexibility for those with dependents to care for.
Subjects: 
informal employment
determinants
human capital
China
JEL: 
D03
J46
O15
P23
P36
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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