As we previously reported, SOLIFEM is a new project of the International Labour Organization (ILO), funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG-NEAR), which will support the transition from the informal to the formal economy through tripartite social dialogue in the Arab States, with a particular focus on Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

During the meeting, constituents recognised that the issue of the informal economy is an important shared development challenge in the region, which has grown with the ongoing economic crises. 

They discussed their experiences in the region and developed practical conclusions and actions to take, confirming their commitment to ILO Recommendation n. 204 (Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy). 

Priorities include strengthening skills systems to ensure they are accessible to young people and women in the informal economy, reducing bureaucracy and strengthening business support measures, and including all workers in social protection systems.

Finally, they agreed on the need to ensure a more inclusive representation of informal economy actors in social dialogue, aiming that representatives of workers, employers, and governments can develop solutions to informality. 

This should include an increase in the percentage of formal jobs, more registered businesses, and stronger regional social protection systems, allowing employers and workers to exercise their right to organise and collective bargaining, and participate in the social dialogue for formalisation.