Abstract
Presents the broad research topics arising from discussions during the Conference on Decent Work, Social Policy and Development organized by the International Institute for Labour Studies in 2006. Among themes that require new analysis, the growth in underground economy and informal employment is regarded as a key issue which is not properly understood. This is only partly due to difficulties in grasping the phenomenon statistically. More generally, the conceptual framework for labour market analysis tends to rest on the assumption of regular, stable employment arrangements.