Non-standard employment around the world: understanding challenges, shaping prospects

Non-standard employment, including temporary work, part-time work, temporary agency work and other multi-party employment arrangements, disguised employment relationships and dependent self-employment, has become a contemporary feature of labour markets the world over. This report documents the incidence and trends of non-standard employment across different countries of the world and explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, including increased firm competition, shifting organizational practices of firms, and changes and gaps in the regulation of work. It assesses the implications...  [+] Show more

Non-standard employment, including temporary work, part-time work, temporary agency work and other multi-party employment arrangements, disguised employment relationships and dependent self-employment, has become a contemporary feature of labour markets the world over. This report documents the incidence and trends of non-standard employment across different countries of the world and explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, including increased firm competition, shifting organizational practices of firms, and changes and gaps in the regulation of work. It assesses the implications for workers' pay, income security and other conditions of work, as well as the effects on firms, labour markets and society in general. The report reviews international, regional and national regulation of non-standard employment, identifying differences across countries as well as promising legislative responses for ensuring decent work. It also analyses other policy responses such as strengthening workers' organizations and collective bargaining, redesigning social protection systems, and further policies for addressing labour market governance. The ultimate objective is to provide guidance on practices that can help ensure worker protection, sustainable enterprises and well-functioning labour markets.

Published abstract.