Research Symposium

BIO

I'm Vanessa Blemur, a second-year student from West Palm Beach, FL, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications. My sights are set on attending law school in Fall 2025, following the pre-law track.

On campus, I hold the role of co-community service chair of Black Female Future Attorneys, I’m a part of the new membership committee of Phi Alpha Delta, and I’m currently pledging an esteemed business fraternity. Prior to UROP, I’ve been able to hone my research skills as the legislative communications intern for Human Rights First.

I'm excited to share my journey and insights at this undergraduate research symposium.

Assessing the Influence if Labor Provisions on Informal Economy Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

What are the downstream effects of globalization? One of the most visible aspects of globalization can be seen in the stark increase in free trade agreements since the mid-1990s. Traditional economic theory argues that trade results in both winners and losers within countries. However, trade's effect on informal work (unregistered and untaxed legal activities deliberately concealed from public authorities) is less clear. We argue that trade agreements with explicit labor provisions (LPs) help reduce the informal economy's size compared to agreements without LPs. An extensive informal economy contributes to heightened poverty, and inequality, and hinders development by limiting access to formal employment opportunities and economic stability. Specifically, trade agreements with labor provisions address the exclusion channel for informal work by protecting individuals from exploitation, discrimination, inadequate wages, and unsafe working conditions.

Keywords: Economy, globalization, trade