Informality in Haiti
Name of the informal group please write here a brief summary paragraph.
Haiti has mainly an informal economy where informal activities represent around 70% of the economy in total. As such, it is time to pay a closer attention to the informal workers. Actually, the informal sector is the most neglected in Haiti. In the midst of the second phase of COVID-19, the informal workers are exposed to severe fatalities of the virus. Furthermore, they are more likely to face up irreversible economic setbacks of this global pandemic. As we focus on the "Madan Sara" which are mostly women who buy agricultural products to sell them in the urban markets, we don't want to forget that informality includes larger group of people vying to survive everyday. |
Main content, don't forget to always put the name in italic by using: italic
Description
What is the name of the informal worker in local language?
Madan sara
Ti machann
How does this translate, and who does it refer to?
Urban Agricultural Product retailers
Small vendors
How do you recognize members of this group? Do they have any specific traits?
In Haiti, the "Madan Sara" are mostly women who buy agricultural products from farmers or rural markets to re-sell them at big open markets in Big Cities like Port-au-Prince, cap-Haiti, Cayes...
Other questions to address could be: Can this worker be described through a persona? What are their perceptions and motivations? Typically associated with a gender? Age group? Is this a full time or part time occupation? They work in collectives or individually? Is this a growing group? What are their struggles? What does their daily life look like? What are their needs?
Perceptions and Motivation
Intrinsic perceptions and motivations
How does this group perceive itself (or the individuals within)?
The "Madan Sara" are very proud women and represent the pillars (pito mitan in Haitian creole) of the rural households in Haiti. In addition, they ensure the connection between the farmers and the markets. Therefore, they play a key role in the Haitian economy particularly rural economy in Haiti. Around 90% (my own estimate) of agricultural products get access to the markets via "Madan Sara". By this, they both support the farmers whom are easily sell their products and the urban consumers eager to eat biological and local products.
What motivates members of this group?
Extrinsic perceptions and motivations
How this group perceived by others (including yourself)?
Other questions to be addressed could be:
Is there a cultural or historic reference in the name?
Does the name have a positive or negative connotation?
Are individuals in this group generally driven by survival or a business model?
Are there positive aspects associated with this group? For example, flexibility, freedom, agility, or self organization
How do members of this group perceive more formal employment? What are the main deterrents of formalizing?
Does this group have any specific needs?
System
What is the role of the informal worker in the broader informal ecosystem?
Who do they interact with. What kind of relationships do they need?
What "problem or need" are they solving?
Other additional questions to be addressed could be:
What service or product is this group providing? What is that they need to deliver their service or product? Conditions, tools, skills to make a living Do they own their work tools? Their work? What sector does this group usually represent? Aproximately, how many people are represented by this group?" "how are they represented in the economy? How has this sector been affected by public policy?
Can you include a picture or a depiction?
References
Insert here any external references