ABSTRACT
The ‘informal sector’ is often equated with precarious, low-productivity, poorly remunerated work in cities of the South, although in reality the sector is highly heterogeneous (Potter and LloydEvans 1998). Informal employment usually prevails in commerce and services, but also occurs in manufacturing production (see Table 1). Moreover, although many people in the informal sector work on their own account in street-vending, the running of ‘front room’ eateries, stalls or shops, the operation of domestic-based industrial units, and the transport of passengers and goods (see figure), other informal workers are subcontracted by large firms, especially in labour-intensive industries, such as toys, footwear and clothing (McIlwaine, Chant and Lloyd-Evans 2002).