ABSTRACT

Since the 1980s a remarkable transformation has occurredin the social structure, work and labor force as a result of neo-liberalpolicies and globalization. In that process not only new jobs andoccupations but also unusual forms of employment, such as informalemployment have appeared. Informality means relatively low wages,lack of social security rights, and unsuitable working conditions thatare arising on the ground of flexible employment.In the society,already disadvantaged groups such as poor, women, children, and unskilled people have been severely and mostly affected groups from these structural changes. These groups have been passive actors of the globalization process and their working conditions which are characterized with unregulated work hours and loads without protections and controls are the most important social and economic reasons for reproduction of poverty. This study researches the concept of informal employment and its social appearances all together in the context of globalization. While the relations between the disadvantaged groups and informal employment are semtinized, the study also aims to show the social structure accompanying informal employment with emphasis on the specific conditions of Turkey. The main finding of this study is that the restructuring in labor force is creating its own social structure and a strong tie between poverty and informal employment is co- existing in Turkey.Another finding is that it is important to analyze the informal employment together with the social dimensions considering the structure of the society as well as the economic indicators