Labour Law and Workers' Rights in the Informal Economy: An Action Research Study on São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe is an archipelagic country in the Gulf of Guinea with a population engaged in both formal and informal sectors, where workers' rights are often marginalized. The study employs participatory action research involving interviews with community leaders, focus group discussions with workers, and a survey of businesses operating in the informal sector. Findings indicate that while there are legal provisions protecting formal sector workers' rights, they are frequently overlooked or violated in the informal economy. For instance, over 70% of surveyed businesses do not provide social security contributions to their employees. The study highlights significant gaps between law and practice regarding workers' rights in the informal economy, particularly concerning social security contributions. Recommendations include strengthening enforcement mechanisms for Labour Law compliance, prioritising social security contributions for informal sector workers, and enhancing worker awareness of their rights.