The laws that regulate relations between firms and workers in Mexico distinguish sharply between salaried and non-salaried workers, and they are at the root of the existence of informality. This paper provides a clear definition of informality, distinguishing it from illegality. Using Mexico's...

We develop a search and matching model where firms and workers are allowed to form matches (jobs) that can be formal or informal. Workers optimally choose the level of schooling acquired before entering the labor market and whether searching for a job as unemployed or as self-employed. Firms...

Regional economic integration in America / Eduardo Lizano -- Regional integration in Central America : some remarks / Victor Bulmer-Thomas -- The Coimbra Group and integration in Central America / Daniel van Eeuwen -- The prospects for Andean integration / Lois Jorge Garay -- Andean integration...