The Informal Sector: Women's Dual Labor and their Social Protection

Abstract

This paper begins with a description of the work in the Informal Sector and proceeds with a discussion on the social protection accorded to the women workers. In this discussion, the concept of social protection is narrowed down to social security. There are two national social security systems that the Informal Sector can have access: the Social Security System and the National Health Insurance Program. Micro-insurance programs are provided by non-government organizations. Still, very limited social security is enjoyed by the women in the informal sector who perform dual work in the workplace and in the home. An argument is raised on the need to increase the coverage and benefits for this particular sector due to their significant contribution to the labor market.