Street Vendors in the Urban Informal Economy: Socio-Economic Conditions and Livelihood Challenges in Walayatabad, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the demographic and socio-economic features of street sellers along with their way of life, family structure, work areas, monetary problems, and products and services sold by them in Walayatabad, Multan. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 212 street vendors. The findings have revealed the significance of street vending in the informal sector in the city and emphasized that the majority of street vendors are from poor households and work long hours with little chance of formal employment. In order to strengthen regulatory and supervisory frameworks, make microfinance services more accessible, and provide more infrastructure support, the paper ends with policy interventions.