In this picture of vendors in the Bryan Lara promenade withing a small archipelago we see three vendors. That was the most i could capture while taking the picture but there was also another vendor to the left selling his goods on concrete bench structure itself just like the one where the person in green is sitting. This post stems a little for the discussion in the last blog. Which was what are the repercussions on increasing poverty with relation to the informal sector. According the to world fact book Trinidad and Tobago has a 17% of population below the poverty line as of 2007. Now 17 % of our population using census statistics is approximately 250 000 persons. This behemoth of a number leads to a dependency syndrome on the government for assistance as perpetuated by our culture. Not everyone turns to the informal sector however and crime becomes an easy alternative.
There is a serious problem with space in Port-of-Spain and urban street vending as there is a sort of turf that often ensue disputes, arguments and even fights. From talking to some of the vendors I discovered that to sell in certain areas they need to have permits otherwise they could be kicked out so to speak. He also told me that most vendors just play around it and move to their own beat. A problem that arises is that with the increase of street vendors the public space becomes more crowded. When this happens only a limited amount of vendors can actually fit. Who decides who gets to stay?
This link shows the detrimental effects of competition for space.
Remember there is no firm sense of law and order between these vendors. Even tho more people get involved in the informal sector due to the increase in poverty its a dog eat dog world as every man is for himself.
References:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/td.html
Typos, typos. OK -- I like the discussion of public space.
ReplyDelete