Perceptions of (In)formality Business Relationships and the Social-Economy for Women in Volta Redonda - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, numerous women street vendors have practiced their business relationships informally due to lack of access to the formal economy. This practice continued until 2008, when promulgation of the Micro Entrepreneur Law provided women with the right to formalization of the exercise of their economic activities and the guarantee of some fundamental social rights. This paper is justified by the necessity to learn from the social economy with regard to women in Brazil after 2008, as well as the need to better understand their socio-economic future. The aim of this project is to study the areas of sustainable development and the generation of jobs and income, for the group of women members of the Volta Redonda Popular Market. The specific aims are: (i) understanding the informality in business relationships; (ii) identification of formal business relationships and bureaucracy; and (iii) understanding current socio-economics regarding women in this category of social actors. Methodologies used are: (i) theoretical – law, economic and sociology literature review; (ii) secondary data – official websites; and (iii) field aiming to investigate the identity group known as "women street vendors." The field sample was delimited to the Middle Paraiba River Valley Region in the State of Rio de Janeiro.