Poverty, inequality, and the phenomenon of the poor worker

Abstract

The distribution implications of the labour situation has traditionally beena concern of the ILO as it analyzes labour markets in developing nations,particularly those in Latin America.This characteristic of the labour situation not only broadenedincome gaps between employees in different occupational groups, butalso helped explain the significant presence of those with earnings too lowto meet their own or their households basic needs for goods and services.Absolute poverty and inequality relative to work income are associated withstructurally unsatisfactory labour markets. The phenomenon of the poorworker evidences that, in the region, having a job is no guarantee againstpoverty.