informal sector

In Nicaragua, work in the informal sector is often family based, carried out by campesinos, the self employed, crafts people and those running small businesses. While crucial to the economy, this type of activity is not supported by the state, making it an increasingly impoverished sector that lacks any formal structure. Those who work in it have no access to finance, new markets, social security, assistance or education. They often live in conditions of extreme poverty and child labour is common.

In 2002, following false accusations of murder against people selling goods at traffic lights, the FNT (National Workers Front) made organising informal sector workers a priority by setting up the Confederation of Self-employed Workers (CTCP). The CTCP is now made up of five federations - money changers, transport workers, traffic light workers, bus stop workers and a general section - with 39,000 members.