Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / The thesis, Gender, Structural Adjustment and Informal Economy Sector Trade in Africa: A Case Study of Women Workers in the Informal Sector of North West Province, South Africa, comprises of five chapters{PRIVATE } CHAPTER 1 is mainly introductory and deals specifically with the general orientation of the study as outlined in the background and problem statement. This chapter presents the motivation for the study, main aim and objectives and the significance of the study. It also deals with methodology and attendant problems. The chapter also addresses stages of research such as research design, population and sampling, data collection techniques, data analysis of this study. Finally the limitations of the study are outlined. CHAPTER 2 comprises the literature background for the study. The literature focuses largely on the theoretical orientation of the study and on the position of women in the economy. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is more general in the sense that it focuses on theorising gender using the gender approach to make a substantive argument. It also focuses on the different definitions of the informal economy sector and the impact of economic reform measures on women in the informal economy sector. This first part further argues the predominance of women in the informal economy sector. Attention in the literature is also focused on women’s employment opportunities in the informal sector and on the marginalization of women through economic reform measures introduced. Such reform measures have been advanced by government means to improve the economy. The second part attempts to illuminate some characteristics of informal work in South Africa. The unit of analysis here is women and their employment or underemployment in the economy. CHAPTER 3 focuses on the effects of macro-economic reform policies on women in the informal economy sector. This chapter discusses the current neo-liberal economic reforms (i.e. Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs); Growth Employment and Redistribution-GEAR) that have been imposed by governments all over Africa and beyond in areas such as Latin America and Asia. The chapter also indicates the negative effects of these on the poor (women in particular) and on why economic reforms have hit women hardest in the mainstream economy and in the informal sector. As a concluding argument and points raised, the chapter argues for alternative policy approaches that could be used as references to means of improving the lot of operators in the informal economy sector, especially with regard to women. The point raised in this chapter is that legislation alone does not change attitudes, traditions, trade relations and power relations. Thus, alternatives from a female perspective are outlined here to position the situation of women in terms of accessing resources in terms of the policy climate in South Africa in particular economically. From this perspective one can understand whether or not there is adequate protection and promotion of women’s rights in the economy. CHAPTER 4 consists of the empirical data for the study. The findings of the study from fieldwork on the impact of neo-liberal GEAR on women in the informal economy sector is reported, analyzed and relevant interpretations are made. The findings in this study are presented as raw totals and in percentages, where useful cross-tabulations are carried out to reflect the relevant data, which influenced the findings.Qualitative data analysis method is used to analyse data from in-depth interviews, audio and visual recordings. The data is coded and variables and their relationships are generated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Key words and phrases are categorised and underlined for the possibility of salient themes and summaries and possible explanatory statements are made. CHAPTER 5 gives a summary of the findings of the study and the implications thereof. A comparative survey of these findings and those discussed in the literature in chapter 2 is made. Finally, a conclusive statement is made and suggestions and recommendations for improving the informal economy sector as a valuable economic entity for women. The conclusion is that the informal economy sector does help to meet the needs of the general low income population while maintaining women’s economic activities to support their families. Thus, change on the thinking and application of socio- economic policies should start by fully refuting the more male oriented economic ideology premise on which current policy approach is based. / Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA)

The paper tries to analyze the tax reforms in new EU member states, and to understand how these developments came into existence. Despite several commonalities we argue that across country variation is very much present, especially in the areas of degree of dependence on indirect taxes as well as the share of each component in total tax revenue. Our preliminary evidence indicates that there are three identifiable groupings; Hungary, Slovenia and Czech Republic as the first, Poland and Slovakia as the second, and the rest of the countries as the third. From the clusters we claim that these differences reflect the underlying the structural characteristics of the economies, particularly the scope of the informal economy and the intensity of competition to attract foreign capital. The paper contributes to the literature in a number of ways. First, it gives a comprehensive overview of reforms and possible explanatory factors. Second, it attempts to categorize the transition countries according to the features of the tax systems adopted. Finally, it establishes a linkage between the informal sector, capital from external sources and why particular modifications were implemented. (author's abstract) / Series: Discussion Papers SFB International Tax Coordination

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T15:02:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1820163 bytes, checksum: be65a022190ff6336bc43ec22a2e653e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Growth in the informal economy is a troubling trend that is beginning to cause a split social consequence, the gradual demoralization of the tax collection system of the State, which formally begins with a minimum of legal norms the development of this economy, with construction space intended for that market. The Shopping Center Terceirão in João Pessoa-PB, is one of those buildings, which highlights the presence of some of these evangelical churches actively participating in business activities and through its symbolic power, direct marketers adherents of a particular sect to use a particular language that identify and heat sales. To understand the scale of representations and the reasons for those actions as well as their interaction with certain subjective signs, semiotic elements were used to compare with Weberian studies, taking into account the spread of Protestantism site, combined with the mercantile spirit, which comes to a "particular ethos" to the interaction of a capitalist conception / informal, with a religious ethics / mercantilist. The study was based on an ethnographic research whose overall objective was to analyze from the transdisciplinarity: religion, morality and economics, the behavior of this triad in the face of an ethical nature of Calvinist religious employed by those churches. As data collection instruments were used participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The results showed that the adoption of ethics that binds a particular religious doctrine with a need, is characterized by the imperative to rationalize the feelings that governs the social and personal relationships of the group and acts as a legitimate element of these churches, therefore, the interaction the dynamics of the informal market with religious agents there is a dichotomous relationship between ideas an interests of the group / O Crescimento da informalidade na economia é um fenômeno inquietante que começa a provocar uma cisão social de conseqüências imprevisíveis, pela paulatina desmoralização do sistema de arrecadação tributária do Estado, que começa formalizar com um mínimo de normatização jurídica o desenvolvimento dessa economia paralela, com a construção de espaços destinados a esse mercado. O Shopping Centro Terceirão em João Pessoa-PB, é uma dessas construções, que chama atenção pela presença de algumas igrejas evangélicas participando ativamente dessas atividades mercantis e através de sua força simbólica, direciona os comerciantes adeptos de uma determinada vertente religiosa a usar uma linguagem peculiar que os identificam e aquecem as suas vendas. Para compreender a dimensão das representações e dos motivos dessas ações, bem como sua interação subjetiva com determinados signos, foram utilizados elementos semióticos para comparar com estudos Weberianos, levando em consideração a propagação do protestantismo local, aliado a esse espírito mercantil, que vem a dar um ―ethos particular a essa interação de uma concepção capitalista/informal, com uma ética religiosa/mercantilista. O Estudo teve como base uma pesquisa etnográfica, cujo objetivo geral foi analisar a partir da transdisciplinariedade: religião, moral e economia, o comportamento dessa tríade frente a uma ética religiosa de cunho Calvinista empregada por aquelas igrejas. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados foram utilizados a Observação Participante e Entrevistas Semi-Estruturadas. Os resultados apontaram que, a ética que vincula adoção de uma determinada doutrina com uma necessidade religiosa, é caracterizada pelo imperativo de racionalização dos sentimentos que rege as relações sociais e pessoais do grupo, bem como age como elemento legitimador dessas igrejas, portanto, na interação da dinâmica do mercado informal com os agentes religiosos existe uma relação dicotômica entre idéias e interesses do grupo

Cinco hipóteses explicam a permanência do trabalho informal nos espaços públicos do Centro de São Paulo como ocupação precária e vulnerável: 1- Incapacidade estrutural do mercado de trabalho formal de absorção de mão-de-obra: informalidade como processo mundial e exceção permanente no formato do capitalismo brasileiro; 2- Desconhecimento do comércio informal de rua como produção do espaço urbano: modificação de atributos espaciais: valorização, competição, posse, etc.); 3- Exploração oportunista da clandestinidade dos trabalhadores na forma de corrupção e clientelismo; 4- Marketing urbano e Segregação Espacial: articulação entre as elites locais, Poder Público e agências multilaterais no intuito de promover a revitalização do perímetro estudado, expulsam ou isolam sistematicamente os trabalhadores de rua; 5- Inoperância das políticas públicas: o conhecimento insuficiente ou parcial do comércio de rua resulta na formulação de políticas públicas descoladas da realidade e, portanto, inoperantes. A partir dessas hipóteses,foi possível pensar parâmetros para políticas públicas que superem a polarização entre intolerância e permissividade em relação à atividade. / Five hypotheses explain streetvending in downtown Sao Paulo as a precarious and a vulnerable occupation: 1- Structural impermeability of formal labor market: informal sector as a global process, and as a permanent exception in brazilian capitalism; 2- Lack of awareness of streetvending as a production of urban space: transformation of spatial attributes - profit, competitiveness, ownership, etc.; 3- Opportunist exploitation over clandestine street vendors: corruption and patronage; 4- Urban marketing strategies and Spatial segregation: partnership among government, ruling elite and multi-lateral financial agencies in order to improve urban renewal, frequently isolate and gentrify against street vendors; 5- Innefective public policies - lack of understanding of streetvending results in unlikely public policies. Assuming these hypotheses, this research built public policies directions in order to overcome contradiction between intolerance and permissiveness.

In the last decade Zimbabwe has faced serious political, social and economic challenges which have affected the ordinary citizen. Among the economic challenges is the rapid growth of the informal economy which has become the main employer for most people. This growth is attributable to the shrinking formal economy which has left many people jobless and fighting to survive. The alternative is the informal economy which is accommodating millions of Zimbabweans providing a source of income and form of livelihood. Women tend to be overrepresented in the informal economy and among them is a sub-group of women who head households. Women headed households are among the poorest people in the world. The aim of this study was to determine and explore how the informal economy impacts on social and economic development of women headed households. This aim was realised through contextualizing WHH within a social and economic development framework; determining the nature and extent of the informal economy in Zimbabwe; conducting an empirical study which explored and determined the impact made by the informal economy in the social and economic development of WHH in Chegutu urban area of Zimbabwe and research findings, conclusions and recommendations were made to support women involved in the informal economy. A qualitative approach was utilised in the study and the case study was used as the research design. Data was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews. The targeting and snowball sampling methods were used to identify respondents. Findings from the study indicated that women headed households in the informal economy benefit from the sector. They are self-employed, it is their main source of income, main form of livelihood which caters for all their household necessities, it brings in sustainable livelihood and it has enhanced their self-esteem and economic independence. The informal economy however, posits many challenges for women headed households. For instance it creates many health and economic hardships. The informal economy lacks security, organisation, recognition, social protection and legal representation. There is lack of government and institutional support and resources are inaccessible to most women headed households. The study concluded that integrated social and economic development is the key to the eradication of poverty. Opportunities for active participation in the economy combined with sound social policy are critical for the empowerment of women headed households. Based on the findings and conclusions, recommendations were made to the government, municipality and NGOs to be more supportive of women headed households. This can be done by forming partnerships that focus on skills development to enhance human capital, develop poverty eradication strategies that are informed by social development framework, creating awareness of resources through information centres, subsidising education, medical care and rentals and engaging financial institutions to offer capital and credit facilities. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The low-lying Baixa area of Maputo, is the historic and current city centre of Maputo. The district is an important transport hub, and business centre of Mozambique. The Mercado Central de Maputo (Maputo Central Market), is the only infrastructure provided in support of the micro-enterprisers and traders of the city. The Central Market has reached capacity, and informal street markets have developed to the north. These have become fractured and disconnected from facilities that allow for clean, comfortable, hygienic trade, and a healthier business environment. The architectural proposal offers a solution to the current inadequate trader infrastructure, while also recognizing the area’s heritage and economic significance. The fluxing character of the market is also important in the design. Promotion of micro-enterprise and consequent economic growth will be achieved through an upgrade and expansion of market related facilities. This will allow a greater number of marginalised vendors formal recognition and legitimacy. The intervention will act as a catalyst project in the urban regeneration, through the consolidation of the fractured market areas. Increasing the market’s drawing power on potential customers will promote the Central Market as a destination within its own right. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / The Quarterly Labour Force survey by Statistics South Africa (2019) portrays a very bleak future for the South African economy and labour force. The unemployment rate is 27.6% and youth unemployment stands at 55.2%. The National Development Plan (NDP) recognises the relevance of the informal sector and the value that it will contribute to the economy and to solving the challenges of unemployment in South Africa. The NDP projects that the informal sector, which includes domestic work, will create between 1,2 and 2 million new jobs by 2030. Few studies have been conducted on informal trading projects. This study explores the case of a ‗transitional‘ informal enterprise support project aimed at micro-enterprise development wherein 10 informal traders in Cape Town took occupancy of provincial government-sponsored kiosks on 9 May 2016. The Long Street kiosks (LSK) offer 10 traders per year a unique trading opportunity in the CBD free of rent and service charges for a period of one year, with access to a unique and potentially large market. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the role played in the informal enterprise development project by the Western Cape provincial government through its project manager, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT). This research attempts to investigate aspects of project design such as the selection criteria of the informal traders for the project, and selected results such as whether the project provided the traders with enough market exposure to the formal economy and whether their businesses were improved by participation in the project. The qualitative research approach was used for this study of the LSK project, which was a single case study, as both a unit of analysis and as a research method. The study involved a combination of two approaches, namely desktop research followed by interviews and focus group sessions. The study found that a number of limitations and shortcomings in the conduct of the project impacted on the mixed results and success achieved, pertaining to selection criteria, lack of financial and other resources, training, market-related problems, skill set limitations as well as environmental factors such as transport. The study nevertheless cast useful light on potential changes and recommendations that could enhance the project going forward and provides new insights on the complex relationship between the informal and formal economies and their relative potential for addressing the challenges of employment and economic growth.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Due to high levels of unemployment many people in South Africa have sought work in the informal sector of the country's economy. The activities of landfill waste pickers therefore came about because of this. Landfill waste pickers recover recyclables on mountains of waste and sell to different Buy Back Centers (BBCs) in their areas. Despite the hardships, working on unbearable working conditions and poor income, landfill waste pickers have managed to sustain their livelihoods. The aim of the study was to conduct an analysis of the livelihoods of landfill waste pickers in South Africa using the sustainable livelihood framework. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approach using multiple case study strategy of inquiry. The population of the study was the landfill waste pickers at the selected landfill sites and material recovery facility. Convenient sampling was used to select the research sample. Data was gathered through observations, semi-structured one-on-one interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and document analysis to involve multiple sources of data. The research study took place in the following provinces of South Africa namely Western Cape, North West, and Eastern Cape. Out of these provinces the following municipalities were selected for the study Stellenbosch and Oudtshoorn (Western Cape), Potchefstroom and Vryburg (North West) and Graaff Reinet (Eastern Cape). Themes were identified using the elements of sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) and thematic analysis. SLF was used to analyse and present findings under the following elements of SLF vulnerability context, livelihood assets, transforming structures and processes, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. After using a robust approach in analyzing the livelihoods of waste pickers the main outcome was that waste pickers are trying to make a living and they are entrepreneurs. The study also showed that it is important that waste pickers need to be integrated into the waste management system but not to formalize or regulate them. But ultimately give them support so that they continue to do their work better in better conditions.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, 2012 / This thesis explores the relationship between social capital/civil society and good governance/economic development both conceptually and empirically through case studies in the urban, rural, and peri-urban South Africa. As a starting point, this thesis attempts to answer the following six questions: How is social capital identifiable? Is its production exclusively confined to horizontally structured forms of associational life? Can peasant societies generate social capital? Do social capital networks accentuate divisions within communities between those who have access to authority and those without? Can political institutions play a role in producing social capital or does the enlargement of state authority take place at the expense of the associational networks which do produce social capital? And what kind of organisations in rural settings can best bridge sectional concerns and promote wider communities of trust? Can traditional existing political institutions be adapted to modern democratic requirements? I believe that in answering these questions I have gone some way in resolving some of the conceptual dilemmas identified by critics of the concept of social capital. I was then in a position to test and explore two hypotheses. Firstly, I argue that there is a relationship between social capital (a product of civil society) and good governance as well as economic and democratic development. Secondly, I argue that positive social capital will be under-produced in societies in which there is a weak market economy, that is, where members of civil society do not have independent sources of income. I demonstrate that civil society, the state, and markets have a symbiotic relationship and that they all have a role to play in the production of positive social capital. This thesis employed various data collection methods in order to navigate around the case studies chosen for the purposes of this study, viz. individual and group interviews, focus groups, direct observations, research surveys, secondary literature, and local newspapers. Evidence emanating from this thesis suggests that there is a vibrant civil society and, by implication, social capital in poorly resourced areas found in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of South Africa, which has to some extent contributed to good governance as well as economic and democratic development. However, I conclude by arguing that the informalisation of the economy as well as high levels of unemployment in these areas certainly inhibit civil society from playing its important democratising and governance role since the production of positive social capital is constrained by this new reality.

The Yugoslav wars of the 1990s - namely Croatia/ Bosnia (1991-1995) and Kosovo (1998-1999) - were the focus of unprecedented, and uninformed, international attention. This attention accepted at face value an ethnic rationale for the conflict that was often peddled by the combatants themselves; such rationales served to mask the economic and political aspirations of engaged state- and non-state actors. The wars allowed organised crime to take root and proliferate exponentially across geographical, political, and economic spheres. It became a tool of states, militaries and militias; states co-opted criminals, and vice-versa. The Serbian state became a criminal entity (as did, to a lesser extent, surrounding states) in partial control of a thoroughly criminalised regional combat economy, often in collusion with supposed ethnic `enemies.¿ Reconstruction, development, and governance interventions conducted by international actors in the successor states of the former Yugoslavia remain stifled by an absence of understanding of both the systematic infrastructural presence of organised crime, and a lack of acknowledgement of the economic rationales underlying the wars themselves.