Social policy and society

Case Study

Supporting attempts to promote social inclusion and formalisation of employment in Latin America and the Caribbean

Prof. Alexander Nunn, working with colleagues in the Employment Research Group, is undertaking a range of research projects to support policy makers and practitioners in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve the design and implementation of employment services. The LAC region is one of the most unequal in the world and suffers from significant levels of informal employment.  Prof. Nunn is working with the Inter-American Development Bank to implement policy and practice reviews of the role of Public Employment Services in the region.  So far he has conducted in-depth reviews in Ecuador, Peru, Suriname, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Belize.  Each review involves analysis of economic and labour market data, in country fieldwork consisting of interviews with policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders (including employers, trade unions and NGOs) and comparison of the findings with international best practice.  Detailed recommendations are then placed in an action plan and Prof. Nunn works with both the IDB and the relevant government to identify a process of implementation.  The aim is to promote labour market policy and practice for inclusive growth and decent work.  In addition, Prof. Nunn is now also working on a parallel process to ensure that labour market and social protection policy promotes a ‘Just Transition’ toward green jobs in the region.