ABSTRACT
In development contexts, informal employment is often closely linked to processes of urbanisation and migration. In the case of China, this chapter argues that informality is particularly shaped by an individual’s migration status, reflecting an institutionalised rural-urban dualism which structures not only employment status but also a range of other social rights and benefits. Migration thus becomes inextricably linked with informality not only of employment but also of housing, access to urban space, security and entitlement to public services and benefits. China has made huge strides towards expanding social security coverage for both rural and urban residents over the past decade. However, social policies designed and implemented within this dualist framework often fail to address the particular vulnerabilities generated by being an informal migrant worker in this context; they may inadvertently reinforce marginalisation or exacerbate risks associated with this status through the creation of separate programmes and through forms of identification or categorisation based on residence status.
