SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF STREET VENDORS IN URBAN AMRITSAR

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 6.178) SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF STREET VENDORS IN URBAN AMRITSAR

By Ritu Arora, Associate Professor, D A V College, Amritsar Abstract:

Informal sector plays an important role as it provides employment opportunities to various people thereby reducing their poverty. Street vending forms significant part of this sector. It provides employment opportunities to many people who are not skilled enough to undertake other jobs. Despite of its importance, the role of vendors is often ignored and their socio economic condition is quite vulnerable. The street vendors were found to be illegally occupying the streets and the platforms and were forced to bribe police for this purpose. A large section of street vendor in urban areas of Amritsar was having low skill. They had migrated from rural areas or small towns in search of employment. Due to lack of any special training, they were forced to earn their livelihood via street vending.

Keywords: Illegal, Migrants, Street Vendors, Socio Economic Conditions, Vulnerable, etc.

SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF STREET VENDORS IN URBAN AMRITSAR

Informal sector plays an important role as it provides employment opportunities to various people thereby reducing their poverty. Street vending forms significant part of this sector. It provides employment opportunities to many people who are not skilled enough to undertake other jobs. Despite of its importance, the role of vendors is often ignored and their socio economic condition is quite vulnerable. This paper is an attempt to investigate the status of street vendors in Amritsar city so that their socio economic conditions can be assessed. In order to fulfill this aim, vendor engaged in selling fruits, vegetable and other food items were interviewed thoroughly. It was found that socio economic conditions of street vendor were pitiable, but it was still a source of livelihood for various people. The street vendors were found to be illegally occupying the streets and the platforms and were forced to bribe police for this purpose. A large section of street vendor in urban areas of Amritsar was having low skill. They had migrated from rural areas or small towns in search of employment. Due to lack of any special training, they were forced to earn their livelihood via street vending.

Saha (2011) laid stress on the point that street vendors are those people who are unable to get standard jobs. So, they tried to solve their problems through their meager income. They do not demand for Government Job rather they tried to live with dignity through their hard work. Bhowmik and Saha (2012) found that total employment provided through street vending becomes larger if one considers the fact that it helps in sustaining many industries by providing markets for their goods. A lot of commodities such as clothes, fruits, vegetables, other food items, plastic material etc. are sold by these vendors. Thus various industries rely upon them to market their products.

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 6.178)

In current paper, an effort has been made to find socio economic conditions of male street vendors, engaged in selling fruits and vegetables. We have randomly selected 100 street vendors from north, south, center, east and west part of city Amritsar.

The broad objectives of the study are:

1) Analysing the living conditions of street vendors 2) Analysing the working conditions of street vendors

3) Analysing the availability of social security provisions available to them

For the purpose of data analysis, use of simple statistical tools like averages, percentages have been made.

Findings:

 Distribution of street vendor on the basis of their age:

Out of randomly selected 100 street vendors from urban Amritsar, findings reveals that 20 percent amongst them belonged to Up to 25 years of age group, 36 percent belonged to 25-35 years of age group, 25 percent belonged to 35-45 years of age group whereas only 19 percent belonged to 45 years and above age group.

Table 1: Distribution of street vendor on the basis of age

AGE GROUP Percent

Up to 25 years 20.0

25-35 years 36.0

35-45 years 25.0

45 yearsAND ABOVE 19.0

Total 100.0

Source: Primary survey 2012-13  Education of street vendors:

So, far as education status of these street vendors is concerned, when they were interviewed via pre test schedule, it became evident that 59 percent of them were illiterate, where just 41 percent were literate. Even those, who were literate, they just knew to write their names. This illiteracy factor made them more prone to exploitation, at their work place.

Table 2: Education status of street vendors

Education Percent

Illiterate 59

Literate 41

Total 100

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 Marital status:

Findings reveal that 33 percent of these street vendors were unmarried and 67 percent of them were married who mostly worked for even 10-12 hours in very difficult situation, as they were to manage the living expenses of their families.

Table 3: Marital status of street vendors

Marital status Percent

Married 67

Unmarried 33

Total 100

Source: Primary survey 2012-13

 Caste status:

It is clear from the table 4 that 77 percent of the street vendors belonged to scheduled caste category, 12 percent belonged to other backward class category and only 11 percent belonged to other category.

Table 4: Caste status of street vendors

SUB CASTE PERCENTAGE

SC 77.0

OBC NON CREAMY LAYER 12.0

OTHER 11.0

Total 100.0

 Domicile status:

It is clear from table 5 that 61 percent of the street vendors belonged to Punjab state where as 39 percent belonged to other states. The main states from which they migrated were U.P., Bihar, M.P. and Rajasthan. Further 82 percent of them belonged to rural areas whereas just 18 percent belonged to urban area.

Table 5: Domicile status of street vendors

State Percent

Punjab 61

Other states 39

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 Toilet and drinking water facility while working:

When asked about toilet and drinking water facilities during working hours, 69 percent of them reported that facilities were bad, whereas 27 percent reported that facilities were average and just 4 percent reported that facilities were above average.

Table 6: Toilet and drinking water facilities during working

Toilet and drinking water facility during working

Percent

Bad 69

Average 27

Above average 4

Total 100

 Household size:

Findings revealed that 28 percent of street vendors were having house hold size of 0-4 members whereas 48 percent of street vendors were having household size of 4-6 members, 18 percent were having household size of 6-8 members and 6 percent were having household size of 8 and above members. Study further found that majority of them, were living in illegal slums where from they usually get notices to vacate that place.

Table 7: Household size of street vendors

HOUSE HOLD SIZE Percent

0-4 MEMBERS 28.0

4-6 MEMBERS 48.0

6-8 MEMBERS 18.0

8 AND ABOVE MEMBERS 6.0

Total 100.0

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 Monthly income:

It is clear from table 8 that 12 percent of these street vendors were earning up to `3500 per month, 75 percent of them were earning between `3500-7000 and 13 percent were earning up to `7000 and above.

Table 8: Monthly income of street vendors

Monthly Income Percent

Up to `3500 12.0

`3500-7000 75.0

`7000 and above 13.0

Total 100.0

 Calorie intake of street vendors:

It is clear from table 9 that calorie intake of 2 percent of street vendors was up to 750 calorie per day, of 23 percent of them was between 750-1500 calorie per day and of 75 percent of them was 1500 and above calorie per day. Majority of them were falling short of minimum calorie requirement of 2250 calorie per day as prescribed by Rath and Dandekar.

Table 9: Calorie intake of street vendors

Calorie Intake Percent

0-750 2.0

750-1500 23.0

1500 and above 75.0

Total 100.0

 Housing facility of street vendors:

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Table 10:Housing facility of street vendors

Housing facilty Percent

Highly Poor 12.0

Poor 88.0

Total 100.0

 Health of street vendors:

It is clear from table 11 that 8 percent of street vendors were having highly poor health, 67 percent were having modestly poor health and 25 percent were having poor health. Their poor health conditions were owing to inadequate food intake and consumption of intoxicants.

Table 11: Health of street vendors

Health Percent

Highly poor health 8.0

Modestly poor health 67.0

Poor health 25.0

Total 100.0

Suggestions:

1) These street vendors should be brought under the preview of various Social Security Acts so as to protect their interest. They should made aware of various policies went for street vendors. Municipal Corporation should conduct the awareness camps by using social media and

newspaper.

2) Most of the street vendors work in open places and hence are prone to various health problems. They must have regular check up in the hospitals.

3) Proper place should be fixed by Government where these street vendors can sell their products without being exploited from local administration.

4) Government should ensure proper food, shelter and health facilities for street vendors and their families.

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 6.178) Conclusion:

The street vendor Bill, 2013 which aims to protect and promote a positive environment for street vending activity and livelihood, needs to be properly implemented. These vendors should be supported in terms of market access, skill development for increasing their employability and improving working conditions. They should also be protected from various diseases that results from long working hours in open areas. Local Government should provide them with proper place and license in order to improve their livelihood and working conditions. The growth can be made inclusive by bringing such labour in main policy stream. For this purpose, local Governments, NGOs and public needs to join hand together.

References:

Primary Source:

 Primary survey 2012-13.

Secondary Sources:

 Bhowmik, K., (2000), “Street Vendors in Mumbai”, Journal of Livelihood, Vol. II (8), pp.240-247.  Bhowmik, K., (2012), “Street Vendors & Global Urban Economy”, retrieved from

www.book.google.com

 Debdulal, S., and Bhowmik, K., (2012), “Street Vending in ten cities in India”. TATA Institute of Social Sciences, National Association of Street Vendors of India.

 Gupta, Meennakshi, “Labour welfare and social security in unorganized sector”, Deep and Deep publication, 2007.

 Indian Statistics (2011).

 Kantor, “Report on 2nd National Commission on labour”, 2002, page 598-99.  Municipal Corporation of Amritsar 2009.

 “Report on 2nd National Commission on Labour”, (2002).

 Sankaran Kamala (2011), “Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; India and The ILO” Economic and Political Weekly XLVI(10).

 Varshney, Shweta, (2006),“Informal Sector and Economic Crisis”, www.Indianjornals.com