register
Melanie Khamis

Wesleyan University, USA, and IZA, Germany

IZA World of Labor role

Author

Current position

Assistant Professor, Wesleyan University, USA

Research interest

Development economics, labor economics, applied microeconomics

Website

http://bit.ly/Khamis_IZApage

Positions/functions as a policy advisor

DFID; World Bank

Past positions

Research Associate, IZA, Germany (2008–2011)

Qualifications

PhD, London School of Economics, 2008

Selected publications

  • “Does the minimum wage have a higher impact on the informal than on the formal labor market? Evidence from quasi-experiments.” Applied Economics 45:4 (2013): 477–495.

  • “Is informal sector work an alternative to workfare benefits? The case of pre-program expansion and economic crisis.” Review of Development Economics 16:4 (2012): 579–593.

  • “The persistence of informality: Evidence from panel data.” Research in Labor Economics 34 (2012): 229–255 (with A. Askay).

  • “A note on informality in the labor market.” Journal of International Development 24 (2012): 894–908.

article(s)

  • Formalization of jobs and firms in emerging market economies through registration reform

    Reforming registration might not be enough to persuade informal firms and workers to formalize—enforcement and other reforms may also be needed

    Melanie Khamis, May 2014
    Informal firms make up a major share of the economy in most developing countries. Expanding formalization could increase government tax revenues, boost firm profits and national income, and increase employee well-being by improving access to social security and health and workers’ benefits. Reforms to encourage firms to register include simplifying procedures, reducing the cost and time to register, and making more information available on registration procedures. Reforms might not result in higher registration and formalization. In some cases, better enforcement and wider development policies might be needed as well.
    MoreLess