The International Labour Organisation estimates that more than 6 workers out of every 10 in the world operate in the informal economy and states that without formalization, decent work for all and equity in society will remain out of reach. Informal economic activities are typically low income earning opportunities, particularly vulnerable to disruptions, with little economic or legal protection.
Hustling and trading in the informal economy can be seen as temporary survival strategies until other more formal work is found. But for many people, who will never be offered employment in the formal economy, developing a livelihood within the informal economy is the only option they have. With rising job flexibility, immigration, outsourcing of tasks and remote working trends, some researchers believe that formal economies are actually informalizing and the lines between those in the formal and informal economies becoming more difficult to differentiate.
But there will still remain millions of those at the Bottom of the Economic Pyramid, without secure livelihoods, and who simply try to hustle and earn something each day to feed their family. This is a personal photo documentary project to capture and highlight some of their faces, stories and challenges and to celebrate their entrepreneurship.
Mozambique – A seafood trader about 30 km inland sells her produce in a local street market. Without electricity, refrigeration or proper storage, whatever she does not sell quickly may not be sold at all.
South Africa – A street mechanic in South Africa explains how he used to work for a car company, but since being retrenched, fixes cars on the street outside a local car spares store. Attempts to formalizing these street mechanics by providing a covered work area, suitable waste and pollution facilities, have been tried. But when one group started to try and control the site and charge rents, it was easier to just remain outside the system, on the pavement and closer to the spares shop.
Uganda, Jinja – This lady sets up each day at this street corner. She buys produce in from various local surrounding farmers, selling to residents, tourism and other businesses in Jinja. Apart from purchasing, transporting and selling her produce, she also has to negotiate and arrange security, access to water and sanitation facilities during the day and overnight storage.
South Africa – A Zimbabwean sets up his street stall early each morning on a Cape beachfront pavement. Each day hoping for good weather so that people will come out to the beachfront area. He and his family left Zimbabwe due to the political turmoil and economic melt down caused by the ruling party, and now he survives by selling craft items to tourists. Some he makes himself, whilst others he collects and sells on behalf of other craftsmen.