Work-related Ageism in the Informal Economy : A Critical Research Need

The informal sector has become a critical avenue for older persons and people approaching older ages to engage in productive ventures. Unfortunately, it is widely documented that older persons’ labour market participation is often met with negative ageism which are exacerbated by systematic institutional weakness that are unable to protect against such ageism. Despite numerous studies on work-related ageism, there are sparse published studies focusing on older informal workers particularly in the global south. This paper presents a critical reflection on the current state of knowledge and re-conceptualization towards a rethink of research, interventions and policies aimed at addressing issues of work-related ageism in informal work settings in the sub-Saharan Africa where population ageing is currently rising.