LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF STREET VEGETABLE VENDORS IN SELECTED LOCATIONS OF DHAKA CITY

Abstract

In Bangladesh, the informal area plays a noticeable role in respect of the growth of employment and the reduction of poverty. Street marketing comprises an important role of this area including the street vendors as the vital participants. The term ‘Street vendor’ refers to those who are unable to get regular jobs in the remunerative formal sector on account of their low level of education and skills. However, street vending is an important activity related to urban areas. The terms Street vendors describe them are based on the time or place where they work. However, the roles of the street vendors such as vegetable vendors are disregarded and their condition is rarely accentuated. This research tries to show the present living status of the vegetable vendors in Dhaka city along with the purpose of demonstrating their socioeconomic status with a field survey. This research also intends to investigate the problems they faced every day. This survey is based on different sections including their age, gender, educational background, accommodation, family size, economic condition, income, capital, and so on. The survey was conducted in March 2020 in two different areas, Mohammadpur Thana and Mirpur Model Thana in Dhaka city. Poverty, low education, and low capital are the leading reasons for carrying out the business according to this study. The study demonstrates that the male street vendors dominate this sector and little start-up capital is needed to start this business. In 60% of cases, the startup

capital source is personal saving. They face different problems doing this business like harassment from police and having to offer bribes. With the poverty and risk of city corporation interference in their business, street vegetable vendors face many problems in everyday life and 53.3% said lacking capital is the main problem in their street vegetable vending occupation. Their condition of life with so many problems is vulnerable. Therefore, the government can take proper steps for them.