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Informal Economy
The informal economy includes small unregistered businesses, casual labour and self-employment without written contracts, provident fund or formal benefits. A large majority of Indian workers are in informal work.
Why It Matters
Informal workers are hit first and hardest by shocks, and are hardest for policy to reach.
In India
A street vendor taking UPI payments is digitally visible but may still be informal, with no contract, pension or insurance.
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