Financial and Working Conditions of Women Street Vendors in Chengalpattu District: A Descriptive Micro Level Study

Abstract

Driven by economic necessity, women have become a major part of the workforce across sectors like factories and construction, frequently employed as cheap manual labor under conditions heavily favoring employers. They endure unbearable working conditions to support their families. This extreme vulnerability is intensified by high illiteracy and unawareness of rights, leaving them reluctant to protest workplace injustices. As a sizable segment of the vulnerable, ignored unorganized sector, these women are highly exposed to exploitation.This study investigates the economic conditions, financial problems, and workplace issues faced by women street vendors in the Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu, reveals their deep and systemic financial vulnerability stemming from the informal sector. Findings show the livelihood is precarious due to low-to-moderate incomes (nearly 70% earn Rs. 6000 or less) sharply contrasted by high household expenditure (nearly 47% spend Rs. 7000 or more), largely driven by rent. This imbalance results in minimal savings (90% save Rs.1000 or less) and a pervasive level of chronic indebtedness (92.67% are in debt), driven primarily by the need to service interest on previous loans (58.33%), confirming a debt trap. Additionally, vendors report systemic dissatisfaction with working conditions (e.g., 95% dissatisfied with seasonal conditions and 65-70% with wages and facilities). The paper concludes that urgent legislative intervention is needed, recommending comprehensive legislation to regulate minimum wages and working conditions, establish a special wing in the Labour Department to prevent abuse, and provide medical facilities and adult education for empowerment.