Social protection in the informal sector : a case of black women street vendors in Pretoria

Abstract

Social protection for the informal sector is critically relevant, particularly for black women street vendors who face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Owing to the informality of their work, they often face exclusion from social protective services, which increases their vulnerability to health issues, financial shocks and social marginalisation. Informal workers are invisible in policy discussions, resulting in inadequate support and protection mechanisms tailored to their specific needs. This study aimed to investigate the current state of social protection for black women street vendors and focused on their experiences and barriers to accessing social safety nets. Insights were sought into how social protection policies could be redesigned to be inclusive of and effective for black women street vendors. This research employed the case study design alongside semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from the departments of Employment and Labour, Social Development, Small Business Development, the City of Tshwane, the International Labour Organization, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing, and women street vendors.

The selected design provided in-depth qualitative data on the current state of protection and the challenges black women street vendors face in South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret patterns and themes in the data, highlighting the need for policy improvement. The study’s findings revealed that black women street vendors faced significant challenges in accessing social protection owing to institutional barriers and the informal nature of their work. Women lack access to health insurance, pensions and unemployment benefits, which emphasises the need for inclusive policy reforms. Stakeholders have their own initiatives in place to deal with the limited social security access that is available to black women street vendors.

The various stakeholders, through intergovernmental relations and partnerships, are all working together to achieve the desired goal. The dissertation advocates a critical need for inclusive social protection policies that recognise and address unique challenges and a more equitable approach to realising social security for informal workers. The researcher proposed multiple solutions, including the development of a municipal-level social security fund for black women street vendors and a theoretical framework aimed at extending social protection to this group.