A Study of the Urban Informal Sector in Yangon : Case Study in Street Vendors

Abstract

The urban informal sector is a sub-set of the total informal sector as well as of the total urban sector. In the context of Myanmar, the urban informal sector is described as livelihood activities. In this sector, street-based activities are more distinct than other activities. In this thesis, it has studied what factors involve to push into street-based activities and the public views on it in Yangon. This study used descriptive method base on both primary and secondary data. Activities of street vendors in Yangon include selling food and goods, and providing services in prescribed or unprescribed markets or areas, such as streets, roadsides, in front of supermarkets and at bus stops. These activities are owned by one or two persons , a family or by group of people. The street vendors activities are boosted by a continuous stream of rural to urban migration because of no work opportunity in rural areas. Most of the people who engaged the street vending are reasonably educated; a few even highly educated (graduates) and they are clearly not recent migrants . The control is not properly implemented to the vendors ' activities. The predominant feeling among the general public toward the urban street vendors ' activities is more negative than positive