With the Weight of Life on Their Shoulders - Bolivia

In Bolivia, as in the majority of Latin American countries, the informal sector is made up of workers and businesses who operate outside the State system. By not registering their productive activities with the authorities, they miss out on benefits granted by the government such as pension, health-care, and social security. In an effort to help the Bolivian government reduce its informal sector, the World bank produced a study which analyzed the situation and which identified the most significant factors restricting the development and formalization of workers and of micro and small business. The study found that both men and women face the same pressures which lead them into the informal sector. Interestingly, women make up 65% of informal workers. In practice, the existence of a large informal sector significantly reduces the development potential of a country. It limits a country's ability to fight against poverty in an effective and sustainable manner. There are many families in Bolivia that still carry the burden of their poverty because they do not have a formal economic activity that can give them stability, security and education. This is a complex and significant reality that cannot be ignored. The risks of not investing appropriately are too great. However, the advantages that can be had by taking on this challenge are even greater for the Bolivian people.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• world
• bank
• bolivia