The financial and economic crisis that started in 2008 has deep
implications for employment across the planet. While the precise
consequences cannot be predicted, it appears certain that both
jobs and wage levels will suffer in many developing countries.
The crisis brings to an end a period of relatively strong and
sustained growth, which was accompanied by the creation of many
new jobs. World employment in 2007 was almost one third higher
compared with 1990. Effects on informal employment Economic
crises typically lead to a slowdown in economic activity and
critically affect poverty levels and income distribution. As a
consequence, the current crisis can be expected to increase
unemployment and reduce international labour mobility. Well-
established patterns of migration may disappear as workers are
forced to return to their countries of origin, and new migrants
are discouraged or hindered from pursuing their migration
projects. What will be the impact of the crisis on informal
employment, including jobs or a