Informal Sector Research Articles

Leisure sedentary time and elevated blood pressure: evidence from the statutory retirement policy.

The relationship between sedentary behaviors and elevated blood pressure remains inconclusive, and the socioeconomic mechanisms underlying the linkage are rarely discussed. Since retirement is often associated with behavioral changes that impact health, this study aims to provide evidence on changes in leisure sedentary time after the statutory retirement age on elevated blood pressure, along with the socioeconomic mechanisms. We utilized data from five waves (2004-2015) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), focusing on males aged 55-65 employed in the formal sector. Leisure sedentary time, the independent variable, was measured based on self-reported data, while diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure were the dependent variables. Using statutory retirement policy as an exogenous variation, we employed a continuous difference-in-differences (DID) framework and a propensity score matching difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) approach to examine the relationship between changes in leisure sedentary time after the statutory retirement age and elevated blood pressure. The analysis was conducted using ordinary least squares (OLS). To address potential endogeneity, we applied the instrumental variable (IV) method via two-stage least squares (2SLS). Our findings indicate an increase in diastolic blood pressure after statutory retirement, attributed to increased leisure sedentary time. However, there was no significant increase in systolic blood pressure. Moreover, physical activity did not appear to offset this rise in blood pressure, while higher educational attainment and having family members employed in the medical field helped mitigate its negative effects. This study highlights the potential adverse impact of increased leisure sedentary time on diastolic blood pressure among middle-aged men in the formal sector, while also exploring the socioeconomic factors that may alleviate these effects. These results provide a foundation for public health initiatives aimed at addressing the rising prevalence of sedentary behavior and its association with blood pressure issues.

Collaborative governance of an integrated system for collecting contributions for social health insurance, pension, and taxes from the informal sector: a synthesis of stakeholder perspectives

BackgroundMany low-and middle-income countries have adopted social health insurance schemes. However, the collection of contributions from the large informal sector of these economies poses a significant challenge. Employing an integrated system of contribution collection from all relevant institutions may be cost-effective. We used the integrative framework for collaborative governance, to explore and explain factors that may shape the governance of an integrated system for collecting contributions for social health insurance, pension, and taxes from the informal sector in Zambia.MethodsWe undertook a qualitative case study involving 25 key informants drawn from government ministries and institutions, cooperating partners, non-governmental organizations, and association representatives in the informal sector. Data were analyzed thematically using Emerson’s integrative framework for collaborative governance.ResultsThe main drivers of collaboration included a need for comprehensive policies and legislation to oversee the integrated system for contribution collection, prevent redundancy, reduce costs, and enhance organizational effectiveness. However, challenges such as leadership issues and coordination complexities were noted. Factors affecting principled engagement within the collaborative regime consisted of communication gaps, organizational structure disparities, and the adoption of appropriate strategies to engage the informal sector. Additionally, factors influencing shared motivation involved concerns about power dynamics, self-interests, trust issues, corruption, and a lack of common understanding of the informal sector.ConclusionThis study sheds light on a multitude of factors that may shape collaborative governance of an integrated system for contribution collection for social health insurance, pension, and taxes from the informal sector, providing valuable insights for policymakers and implementers alike. Expanding social health insurance coverage to the large but often excluded informal sector will require leveraging factors identified in this study to enhance collaboration with pension and tax subsystems.

Grassroots organization and informal economy: Learnings from Hawker Sangram committee

Grassroots organization and informal economy: Learnings from Hawker Sangram committee

A Critical Exploration of Women’s views about Indigenous Aphrodisiacs: The Case of Mpesu in Venda, South Africa

Mpesu is an indigenous Venda aphrodisiac, originating in the area of Thohoyandou in South Africa (Limpopo province). Mpesu helps empower penile erection for men, and it is commonly available in informal market stalls around Venda. Surprisingly, women know much more about Mpesu than men, who buy it for use at home and to combat erectile dysfunction during intimacy with their sexual partners. This paper explored women’s views on the use of Mpesu to empower penile erection as they advertise and sell it to both men and women. An analytical theoretical framework was used as the lens to academically investigate the women’s understanding and their perspectives on the use of Mpesu in this explorative study. A purposive sample of four women who sell Mpesu in Tshakuma was observed as they advertised and sold Mpesu at their stalls. Data were collected using observations. In addition to Analytic Theory, thematic analysis was adopted in this study to adequately assess women’s perspectives on the use of Mpesu by men as the indigenous South African aphrodisiac. Additionally, three YouTube videos of interviews about Mpesu were used during the conceptualization of this study. This study adopted the observation method for data collection, and the researchers found that the use of Mpesu is more known and welcomed by women than by men in Venda, South Africa. Additionally, this study contributes empirical evidence to the existing body of literature, providing practical recommendations on the use of indigenous aphrodisiacs in Venda and similar settings globally. Keywords: Traditional Aphrodisiac, Mpesu Medicine, Penile Erection, Women’s Support, Indigenous Medicine

Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment

An unsustainable rate of resource production and consumption is evident in urban environments. The absence of innovative approaches in conjunction with the exponential urbanization and expansion of the global population will inevitably result in substantial environmental consequences. There are two emerging alternatives: circular economy (CE) and urban metabolism (UM). The integration of these principles into novel methodology casts doubt on the linear model of contemporary economic and urban systems, which includes extraction, production, utilization, and disposal. In the development of a distinctive urban framework known as circular urban metabolism, the current study has illustrated the application of these principles. We design this study to motivate urban planners and decision-makers to investigate, develop, and supervise ecologically sustainable cities. Scholars from a variety of academic disciplines, intrigued by the intricacies of urban planning, design, and administration, can foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the circular urban metabolism (CUM) region. To address the research question, we implemented a bibliometric analysis, which involved the examination of 627 pertinent research papers, utilizing the R (R 3.6.0+) statistical programming language. The results emphasize the fundamental characteristics and significance of CUM in the management of refuse. In addition, the findings underscore the importance of creating a novel framework that incorporates the principles of urban political ecology, CUM, sustainability, and the novel dimension of waste metabolism. It is the goal of this framework to emphasize the significance of recycling in the informal sector as a waste management strategy in low- and medium-income countries (LMICs).

‘We are not simply Indians’: Intersecting ethnic identity diversity among the Chinese communities of Kolkata

Kolkata, known for its cultural diversity, reflects the inequalities of its informal sector, reminiscent of a feudal system. The city is home to various foreign communities, including Armenians, Jews, Parsis, and particularly the Chinese. Historically, Kolkata saw a significant influx of Chinese immigrants, followed by phases of exclusion. Despite challenges, the Chinese community has thrived for over two decades, contributing to the city’s cultural richness. This research explores how Chinese individuals in Kolkata, unfamiliar with local social structures, perceive and categorize others, defining their ethnic identity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the study finds that many Chinese in Kolkata identify as Indian-Chinese or Chinese-Indians. The community’s evolving belief systems reflect their ongoing search for a cultural identity. Through this exploration, they work to define their core values and roles within society, constantly adapting to the cultural landscape of Kolkata.

The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Indigenous knowledge healers (IKHs) provide alternative healthcare to formal health services in rural South Africa, but there is a gap in knowledge regarding their treatment of surgical conditions. This study evaluated IKH surgical care and described their perspective of the dual health system. A cross sectional survey of IKHs in the Madwaleni Hospital catchment of the Eastern Cape, South Africa was conducted. Topics included the training and experience of IKHs, treatment of nine common surgical conditions, referral patterns, disease origin beliefs, benefits and limitations of care, and collaborative opportunities between the two health systems. Thirty-five IKHs completed the survey. IKHs were consulted by persons with all nine surgical conditions. The most common forms of treatment were application of an ointment on the affected site (88%) and oral medication (82%). Operative treatment was only done for abscess. Referrals to the formal healthcare sector were made for all surgical conditions. IKHs reported that they were limited by their lack of training and resources to perform operations. On the other hand, they perceived the treatment of the spiritual aspect of surgical disease as a benefit of their care. Thirty-five (100%) IKHs were interested in closer collaboration with the formal health sector. IKHs treat surgical conditions but refer to the formal health sector when diagnostic and operative services are needed. More research is needed to determine the potential advantages and disadvantages between the formal health sector and IKH collaboration.

Communication dynamics: Fintech’s role in promoting sustainable cashless transactions

The integration of Fintech is revolutionizing global financial engagement, moving away from traditional payment systems. This study, thus, explores the interaction between communication dynamics, Fintech use, intentions, cashless transactions adoption, financial literacy, personal innovativeness, and socioeconomic development in Pakistan. The study employs a dual methodology, encompassing “PLS-SEM and Probit Model alongside Propensity Score Matching technique.” The survey targeted small business owners and individuals involved in informal sectors, encompassing roles such as fruit and vegetable vendors, small shop owners, taxi drivers, and auto rickshaw operators. A total of 394 responses were analyzed. The findings highlight the facilitating role of individuals’ intentions to use cashless transactions, acting as a mediator through which Fintech use fosters actual behavior. Moreover, the study finds financial literacy and personal innovativeness as critical moderating factors. Adopting cashless transactions emerges as a pathway to enhanced financial inclusion, particularly impactful for small business owners. The achieved financial inclusion has the potential for profound financial inclusion implications, as evidenced by its positive effects on sustainable livelihoods, living conditions, and social development among small business owners and individuals operating within the informal sector.

Live Survival Strategy to Grow Entrepreneurial Interest in the Perspective of Maqashid Asy-Syari'ah (On Deaf-Mute Disabilities UPT RSBRW - Pasuruan)

Difficulties for people with hearing and speech impairments in accessing formal employment because companies only open and look for workers in the physically & mentally healthy category, to increase productivity & effectiveness of employee performance. While getting a job is very important & fundamental for sustainability & continuity. One of the problems faced by people with hearing impairments is how to develop skills & knowledge according to their talents and interests, so that they are able to move independently in fulfilling and prospering their needs & desires without depending on the informal sector.This research is descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The researcher will describe survival strategies to foster interest in entrepreneurship for people with hearing and speech impairments according to field conditions with the aim of finding a comprehensive survival strategy formulation. From the results of data analysis in the field, it is clear that the concept of success in the presence of limitations / impairments is that there are 3 types of survival strategies used by people with hearing and speech impairments, namely: active strategy (having, independence, confidence, enthusiasm, optimism, perseverance), passive strategy (making savings in meeting needs: dharuriyat, hajiyat, tahsiniyat, and implementing rational consumption patterns/ mustahlik al-aqlani), network strategy (using available accessibility & building relationships with related agencies).

The Role of Indonesia’s National Health Insurance Cadre: A Case Study in Bali

The management of informal sector participants poses the most significant difficulty to universal coverage attempts throughout Indonesia's National Health Insurance era. As a result, in April 2017, BPJS Kesehatan established the JKN Cadre Program. This program intends to expand the number of participants while also improving the collectability of contributions from the informal sector. This study aims to investigate the role of the cadre and explore the supporting, and inhibiting factors of such a program. This study is a qualitative descriptive case study, with data gathered through in-depth interviews. Informants were chosen purposefully. Thematic Analysis was utilized to examine the data, which Source Triangulation subsequently confirmed. The study found that the JKN KIS cadre has five functions, the most important of which is to remind people and collect contributions. Cadre activities included education and outreach, as well as collecting payment arrears receipts. The study also identified three inhibiting and supportive elements for the role of cadre namely individual, environmental, and organisational factors. To reduce unfavourable perceptions of JKN-KIS, it is vital to increase cadre self-actualization, self-esteem, information dissemination, synergy, and quality.

It’s not just about jobs: The significance of employment quality for participation in political violence and protests in selected Arab Mediterranean countries

It is often proposed that the young unemployed are more likely to engage in political violence, conflicts, and protests. One problem in studying the unemployed – especially in the Global South – are the blurred lines between the unemployed, the employed, and those working in the informal sector. Further, the employed are a heterogeneous group so employment quality might also play an important role. To tackle these issues, this study uses a new quantitative dataset, which covers youth in five Middle Eastern and North African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. These data provide considerably more fine-grained information about the employment situations of the respondents than the datasets previously used. The study investigates separately two forms of political participation: in political violence and in demonstrations. The regression analyses show that there is no clear difference between the young unemployed and the young employed in their likelihood to participate in the studied political activities. However, some features related to employment matter. Those whose employment status is ambiguous are substantially more likely to participate in demonstrations and political violence than the employed. Among those who work, those who are dissatisfied with their work and those who work fewer hours participate more often in these activities. Income on its own does not seem to have an effect; however, those who have more assets are more likely to participate, and compared to those who feel themselves middle income, those feeling rich or poor are more likely to engage in political violence and demonstrations. The results suggest that instead of thinking in terms of a dichotomy of the employed and unemployed, more emphasis should be placed on understanding the variety of employment situations and employment quality and their impact on political instability.

Urban Entrepreneurship on the Fringe: Action Research on the Challenges of Street Vendors in Manila

The presence of street vendors in metropolitan cities has been a cause for debate as vending provides these vendors with a source of livelihood but at the expense of regulatory oversight and urban order. Vending as a business emerged due to the lack of work opportunities available despite the growing demand. Vendors, however, remain crucial stakeholders of the informal economy as their existence fills a need for the minimum-income working class. As such, the objective of the study is to determine and understand the different factors that affect the business of street vendors and their coping mechanisms to these challenges and propose an action plan. This study is unique in its focus on the informal economy, specifically street vendors in Manila, an often overlooked yet vital part of urban livelihoods. By employing a qualitative approach, it delves deeply into the lived experiences of street vendors, uncovering the cultural, socioeconomic, and regulatory challenges they face in a highly urbanized Southeast Asian city. The study highlights human-centered narratives often missed in quantitative research and provides valuable insights into the dynamics between street vendors and government regulations. Its findings could influence inclusive policies that better support informal entrepreneurs, contributing to broader discussions on inclusive business practices. The results reveal that factors affecting street vendors relate to interpersonal dynamics, family dynamics and obligations, educational aspirations, financial vulnerability, market competition, operational challenges, supply chain dependency, health and labor, and enforcement of regulations. To manage these factors, vendors have adopted mechanisms to combat these issues through debt and financial management, operational adaptation, community assistance and support, adaptation to regulation, and emotional resilience. In the end, this research proposes a five-point agenda to support street vendors' adherence to social and legal norms, beginning with developing inclusive policies that formally recognize and regulate street vending, ensuring legal protection and designated vending zones. It then focuses on economic empowerment through improved access to financial services, microcredit, and financial literacy programs while introducing social security measures. Health and safety programs are implemented to enhance vendors' well-being, providing access to healthcare, ergonomic training, and sanitation standards. Governance improvements, anti-harassment initiatives, and transparent law enforcement to protect vendors from exploitation should also materialize. Finally, community engagement and public relations efforts aim to foster positive perceptions of street vendors, highlighting their contributions to the economy and encouraging cooperation with local businesses and authorities.

A Comprehensive Exploration of the Gender Pay Gap in Portugal's Informal Economies

A Comprehensive Exploration of the Gender Pay Gap in Portugal's Informal Economies

Mexico's Minimum Wage Data: Trends, Policies, and a Research Agenda

The decline of the real value of the minimum wage amid trade liberalization in Mexico has raised concerns about its policy effectiveness and unintended consequences. The literature has examined the impact of minimum wage adjustments on employment levels, worker earnings, poverty, and inequality. However, findings from different sample periods and regions still need to be reconciled. It is necessary to understand the mechanisms connecting minimum wage to other market components. This research note first explores Mexico’s minimum wage data from 1980 to 2023 to grasp its spatial and temporal trends. We then discuss several future research directions to explore mechanisms through which minimum wage potentially works, including the welfare effect of the policy, the informal sector, and interactions between different policy tools.

Preventing occupational injuries in the informal construction industry: a study protocol for the development of a safety education intervention for bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria.

Occupational injuries are a growing public health problem. Approximately 1,000 workers die daily from occupational injuries globally. Artisans working in the informal sector of the construction industry in many low/middle income countries like Nigeria have a higher injury predisposition. This study will assess the determinants of occupational injuries and design a safety intervention for informal sector artisans in the Nigerian construction industry. A sequential mixed-methods design will be employed to study 840 bricklayers and carpenters (420 per artisan group) in Osun State, Nigeria. Quantitative data will be collected first while qualitative data will be collected thereafter. Thirdly, a modified Delphi-technique will be employed to co-design a safety education intervention. For the quantitative study, artisans will be recruited via multi-stage sampling and a semi-structured questionnaire will be administered to obtain information on artisans' socio-demographics, work-patterns and occupational injuries. A multivariable regression model will be used to determine the association between injury occurrence and independent variables. Twelve to sixteen focus group discussion (FGD) sessions will be conducted for artisans to obtain group perspectives about injuries and preferred safety training topics. From the FGD and quantitative study findings, a list of items for the safety training module will be compiled for the modified-Delphi process. Thereafter, the content validation index (CVI) will be derived and items with CVI of ≥0.80 will be included in the final safety training module. This paper describes the process required to assess the determinants of occupational injuries among artisans in the informal sector of the construction industry in Nigeria and further proposes the design of a context-relevant safety training intervention. The information from this study will be essential in promoting safe working environments for construction artisans.

Empowering informal plastic recyclers: addressing socio-economic challenges and human rights awareness in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study critically examines the informal recycling sector within selected plastic waste recycling factories in Ogun State, Nigeria, focusing on the compliance of human rights for workers. The research delves into the intricate dynamics of informal recycling, shedding light on the experiences and challenges faced by workers in this sector. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study investigates the intersection of environmental sustainability, labor conditions, and human rights, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of the informal recycling landscape. Employing descriptive and cross-sectional approaches, including closed-ended surveys to explores the socio-economic characteristics of workers, prevailing working conditions, and the extent to which human rights standards are adhered to within these recycling facilities. The findings aim to contribute to the discourse on sustainable waste management practices, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that ensures both environmental conservation and the protection of workers' rights. This study holds significance for policymakers, environmentalists, and human rights advocates, providing insights that can inform the development of policies fostering a socially responsible and sustainable plastic waste recycling industry.

What is the Role of Minimum Wages in Addressing Precarious Employment in the Informal and Formal Sectors? Findings from a Systematic Review.

This article presents synthesized evidence from 16 studies examining initiatives with potential to mitigate workers' exposure to precarious employment through the adoption of minimum wage policies. All studies were set in low-income countries and focused on both formal and informal workers. A systematic review of evaluated initiatives addressing precarious employment identified the evidence. We consider minimum wage policies as initiatives that could address precarious employment because of the central role of minimum wages in establishing employment terms for workers in precarious situations. We include initiatives aimed at formal and informal workers, given that precarious employment can exist in both sectors, that these workers share concerns regarding income and would benefit from minimum wage policies. The findings imply that minimum wage policies could increase precariously employed workers' financial compensation, although with some differences and with little or no effect on employment security. It is not feasible to extend these conclusions beyond low-income economies due to differences with high-income economies in how the mechanisms through which minimum wage policies could impact worker compensation and employment security. However, they should serve as a reminder for high-income economies, many of which experience expanding informal sectors, about the need for related research and policy.

The Role of the Informal Economy in Child Labour in Rural India

This research paper delves into the heartbreaking reality of child labour within India’s informal economy, where millions of children are forced to abandon their childhoods for work. Despite laws designed to protect their rights, countless young lives are caught in a web of exploitation driven by poverty and a lack of opportunity. This study reveals the complex factors that lead children into labour—such as economic hardship, inadequate access to education, and societal norms that often overlook their suffering.

Entrepreneurship and Kinship: An Integrative Review of a Nascent Domain

Contrary to the widely accepted adage ‘do not engage in business activities with relatives’, individuals from Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani backgrounds are achieving significant progress, while individual groups experience stagnation. While prior research offers substantial insights into the relationship between kinship and entrepreneurial ventures, there exists a paucity of information regarding the mechanisms through which certain kin individuals attain success while others do not. The principal inquiries revolve around the question, ‘In what ways do kinship networks contribute to entrepreneurial success?’ Furthermore, within a multicultural and heterogeneous framework, how might kinship networks serve as essential resources that promote entrepreneurial development, or do they instead pose additional challenges to such advancement? To address these inquiries, this study conducts an integrative review of entrepreneurship through the conceptual framework of kinship (kin-entrepreneurship), a notion distinctly from emerging disciplines. The contextual backdrop of this study is firmly anchored in the rising incidence of business failures and their resultant ramifications for sustainable economic development on a global scale. By employing an integrative review methodology that encompasses both bibliometric and content analyses of extant literature, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this research elucidates the fundamental components relevant to kin-entrepreneurship. In tackling this issue, the present investigation explores the trends, trajectories, and potential futures concerning the nexus of kinship and entrepreneurship. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on a dataset comprising 292 scholarly articles focused on kin-entrepreneurship, published between 1980 and 2023, sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Significant findings highlight “kinship-based business influencers” and “entrepreneurial environment and consequences”, as crucial themes. Subsequent to the discovery of the themes, this paper advocates for a paradigm shift from a narrow familial perspective on business to a more expansive kinship viewpoint, which can enhance comprehension of the complex dynamics within business environments where kinship-based business influencers are multifaceted, affecting economic performance (where entrepreneurs capitalize on these affiliations for economic advantage), decision-making (which improves business sustainability through resource allocation among kin), and employee relations (as kin connections foster both formal and informal employment opportunities) for entrepreneurs. Consequently, this study posits that kinship-oriented business dynamics play a crucial role in influencing entrepreneurial decision-making by offering social capital, resources, and strategic guidance, which are essential for mitigating existing entrepreneurial attrition rates and, in turn, are fundamental for fostering economic development.

A Phenomenological Study of Street Vending in Downtown Area, Tacloban City

This study investigates street vendors' lived experiences in downtown Tacloban City, Philippines, focusing on their economic contributions, challenges, and coping mechanisms in the informal sector. Street vendors play an important role in urban economies by making goods and services more accessible and affordable, as well as providing livelihood opportunities for people with few job options. Despite their economic importance, street vendors frequently face legal and social challenges, such as harassment and a lack of recognition from the government. Using a phenomenological approach, the study seeks to fill a gap in the literature on the financial practices and capital management techniques of street vendors in Tacloban City. The study looks into the factors that influence the prevalence of street vending, its impact on vendors' livelihoods and well-being, and the strategies vendors use to overcome daily operational challenges. The findings are expected to guide policy interventions aimed at improving the quality of life and economic resilience of street vendors. Amartya Sen's Human Agency Theory, Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory, and Hernando de Soto's Informal Economy Theory all serve as foundations for the analysis. These frameworks provide a thorough understanding of the agency, motivation, and economic dynamics of street vendors. The study's findings are intended to benefit street vendors, policymakers, community initiatives, and future research by fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for urban informal economies.