The part of the job market which is not reported to the tax authorities and does not appear in official statistics. ‘Black’ and ‘grey’ market activities encompass a very diverse set of practices that range from individual bribes and favours to get things done (C. Humphrey 2002), to protection rackets, and to the illegal appropriation of Western aid payments. The trafficking of women and children is a particularly sinister new form of black economy (Smith and Stenson (2006) PHG 30, 2). See also Kligman and Limonelli (2004) Eur. Studs Conf. Chicago.