International Migrants in Johannesburg's Informal Economy

Sally Peberdy

Description

This report provides a rich view of the activities of migrant entrepreneurs in the informal economy of Johannesburg. It is hoped that the information will facilitate understanding of the informal sector and its potential, and not just in the context of migrant entrepreneurs. The informal economy plays a significant role in the entrepreneurial landscape of the City of Johannesburg and is patronized by most of the city's residents. The research presented here challenges commonly held opinions about migrant entrepreneurs in the City of Johannesburg and shows that they do not dominate the informal economy, which remains largely in the hands of South Africans. In late 2013, the City, through Operation Clean Sweep, removed up to 8,000 traders from the city's streets. As this and recent xenophobic attacks demonstrate, Johannesburg can be a hostile place in which to operate a business as an informal economy migrant entrepreneur. Instead of trying to sweep the streets clean of these small businesses, government at national, provincial and city levels should develop policies to grow the SMME economy, develop township economies, and manage the informal economy and street trading. They need to incorporate the businesses owned by migrant entrepreneurs, rather than exclude and demonize them. These businesses make an invaluable contribution to Johannesburg's economy despite operating in a non-enabling political and policy environment.

Sujets

• Urban
• Social sciences
• Sociology

Informations

• Publié par: Southern African Migration Programme
• Date de parution: 17 octobre 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781920596224
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

Extrait

International Migrants in Johannesburg’s Informal Economy

SAMP MIGRATION POLICY SERIES NO. 71

Sally Peberdy

Series Editor: Prof. Jonathan Crush

Southern African Migration Programme (SAMP) 2016

AUTHOR

Sally Peberdy îs a Senîor Researcer a e Gaueng Cîy-Regîon Observaory (GCRO), Joannesburg.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SAMP and ACC would lîke o acknowledge e inancîal suppor o e ïDRC or e Growîng ïnormal Cîîes Projec. Dr Paul Okwî o ïDRC and Dr Edgard Rodrîguez are anked or eîr consîderable assîsance în e împlemenaîon o e projec. he înpus o Jonaan Crus, Abel Cîkanda, Carolîne Skînner, Davîd Evera, Godrey Tawodzera, ïnes Raîmundo, Crîs Rogerson and Roberson Tenge are especîally acknowledged. Jona- an Crus, Abel Cîkanda and Bronwen Dacs assîsed wî manuscrîp preparaîon.

© Souern Arîcan Mîgraîon Programme (SAMP) 2016

Publîsed by e Souern Arîcan Mîgraîon Programme, ïnernaîonal Mîgraîon

Researc Cenre, Balsîllîe Scool o ïnernaîonal Afaîrs, Waerloo, Onarîo, Canada

Fîrs publîsed 2016

ïSBN 978-1-920596-18-7

Cover poo by hom Pîerce or e Growîng ïnormal Cîîes Projec

Producîon by Bronwen Dacs Muller, Cape Town

Prîned by Megadîgîal, Cape Town

All rîgs reserved. No par o îs publîcaîon may be reproduced or ransmîed, în any orm or by any means, wîou prîor permîssîon rom e publîsers