Contributo do sector informal para a melhoria da renda familiar: caso de estudo - mercado da Praça dos Combatentes, 2004-2015

Abstract

This paper, entitled The contribution of the informal sector to improving family income: case study - Combatants' Square Market, 2004-2015, aims to understand the development of the informal sector in Mozambique, study the emergence of the Combatants' Square Market and analyse the impact on the livelihoods of families who sell at the market. It was possible to realise that informal trade plays a crucial role in Mozambique's economy, and that the emergence of the informal sector is associated with the employment crisis in the formal sector. However, the informal trade in Praça dos Combatentes reflects a structural inequality present in Mozambican society. Many informal vendors operate without formal licences or land use rights, facing constant legal challenges and government repression. The lack of access to basic services and adequate infrastructure, such as security and sanitation, also represents obstacles for informal vendors and market-goers. Despite these challenges, it was possible to realise that the market is a living example of the resilience and creativity of informal vendors, who develop strategies to survive and thrive in the informal environment. Their experiences highlight the importance of informal trade in Mozambique's economy, providing livelihoods for self-employed workers, rural migrants and low-income families seeking alternative livelihood opportunities. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)