ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews what has already been learned from studies of the informal sector in Bangladesh and then examines directions for future research, especially with regard to the implications for development action and policy for provision of social protection schemes in the urban informal sector. It focuses on an analysis of both primary and secondary data. The chapter explores the conceptualisation and analysis of the term ‘informal sector’ in scholarly journals and research over the past three decades. The age group of informal sector workers in the capital city of Dhaka in Bangladesh is between 7 and 70 years. They constitute about 30 per cent of the population. The informal sector is generally a larger source of employment for women than men. The informal sector is not homogenous, but covers a wide range of activities. In general, the informal sector is dominated by the service sub-sector; manufacturing accounts for a relatively small share.
