The informal economy and connections with organised crime

The informal economy is a constantly present undercurrent in the cities and the countrysides of Europe. Sometimes it becomes suddenly visible: groups of men standing around on certain streets waiting for someone to offer them a day’s work; trinket sellers on beaches and rose sellers in restaurants; a newspaper revealing dire conditions of overcrowding for agricultural workers or factory workers; the collapse of a building built with substandard materials or inadequately trained employees who were not on the official payroll. But generally the informal economy tries to remain hidden – it depends upon not being noticed. These conditions also tend to attract the attention of organised crime. Where trade is being carried out under cover, illegal substances and even people may be trafficked as well.

In this book, various authors explore the connections between the informal economy and organised crime. The question is posed whether countries’ national social and economic policies affect the form and extent of their informal economies and the extent and nature of connections with organised crime.

This volume stems from a series of European seminars funded by the European Commission under the auspices of the co-ordination action CRIMPREV, funded under the 6th Framework and co-ordinated by GERN.