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Mosammam, Hassan Mohammadian

Article An investigation on the phenomenon of women vendors in 's

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To cite this document: Mohammadian Mosammam, H., Ahmadi, L., & Razavian. M.T. (2018). An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro. Urban Economics and Management,6(1(21)), 71-84 www.iueam.ir Indexed in: ISC, EconLit, Econbiz, SID, RICeST, Magiran, Civilica, Google Scholar, Noormags, Ensani. ISSN: 2345-2870

An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

Hassan Mohammadian Mosammam Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Leyla Ahmadi* Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Taghi Razavian Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2016/06/18 Accepted: 2017/09/18 Abstract: One of the major challenges facing managers and urban planners in the third millennium is increasingly development of informal economy. Tehran Metropolis is not an exception and it has witnessed a growing expansion of the informal economy, especially vendors in the subway over the last few decades. Accordingly, this paper aimed to review the theories and approaches about the phenomenon of street vending and then analyzed the passengers’ attitudes towards women vendors as well as the characteristics and reasons for its spread in subway cars using a survey based on semi-structured interview. The statistical population includes of two groups of traveler women and street vendors of and the sample size is 75 and 82 respectively. The results revealed that passengers are more willing to buy from Metro vendors. The major group age of metro’s vendors are young, educated, often immigrants, married and heads of households. The most important reason for this activity is inadequate capital and lack of jobs in the formal sector. The respond of managers and city officials is often based on legalistic approach, prohibiting, and preventing their activities. Finally, in order to organize vendors in metro, solutions Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] including efficient and comprehensive spatial planning throughout the country, facilitating self-employment, development of special places for vendors, monitoring and controlling the quality of products, training and empowering, licensing activities in specific places and renting metro stalls to vendors have been presented. Keywords: informal economy, street jobs, women vendors, Tehran Metro Line 1 JEL Classification: E26, J32, L91, J61

* Corresponding Author: [email protected] 27______Urban Economics and Management

1- Introduction time. According to Modernism, it was Over the last decades, rapid growth presumed that cities free from informal of urbanization and overcoming urbanization activities will be created, and these of urban planning have made many big businesses will simply disappear (Meneses- problems facing urban managers and Reyes & Caballero-Juárez, 2014). However, policy-make, particularly in developing today, street vending is a growing countries. Nowadays, more than 85% of phenomenon that most of the workers that growth belongs to the cities located make money through it in developing in southern countries. One of the most countries (Kayuni& Tambulasi, 2009). influential push factors of such rapid Urban managers have always tried to growth is rural-urban migrations in prevent the activity of these people in the those countries. Promoting medical streets or to regulate at least this activity, facilities, developing modern transportation but not only have not succeeded, but technologies, increasing cultural and sometimes these efforts have the opposite economic exchanges, and natural growth effect ((Meneses-Reyes & Caballero- of rural populations along with limited Juárez, 2014). And in most cases it has human and natural resources lead the caused conflicts between city officials peoples from villages directly to the cities and street vendors. These conflicts are to find a better life. In southern world often due to lack of license, tax avoidance, cities unlike the industrial societies, the and the occupancy of public space and lack of resources besides the gradual sidewalks by sellers (Kayuni & Tambulasi, economic growth enfeeble cities to 2009). Despite these issues, these provide a qualified life and enough jobs individuals not only earn money by for immigrants who are not skilled and relying on small personal and native educated, therefore they immediately get capital, but by providing a range of cheap into the informal section of the economy and affordable goods and services for (Bhowmik, 2005). The informal section deprived people of the community, they makes a room for newcomers who are not play an important role in increasing well educated nor skilled (Maneepong & economic and physical access to the Walsh, 2013). Increasing informal products and, consequently, in the employment and its emerging challenges urban economy (Weng, 2013). Tehran, have made a common ground to become as a political center of Iran, is the heart

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] an international development discourse of economic activities in the country. since 1970s (Heinonen, 2008) and it has Like many populated Asian cities, Tehran attracted the attention of academics, is received constantly a large number of social activists, and policy makers to people who seek for job and street itself more than before. Street vending is vending is a bold character in its public the well-known sub-division of informal spaces. Furthermore vending at subway employment which is really common both has become controversial as an emerging in across the country (Onyango et al., issue that vendors from both genders got 2012). Basically, this activity is a involved in it. Since the uncontrolled rise historical profession which rooted in of these vendors, the relevant authorities, ancient societies. It used to have a including the municipality and Tehran- dominant role in trade network at that Suburban Railway Company, have tried 27______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

in various ways to organize transportation subdivisions: Home-based workers (those and combat the activities of these people. who produce goods and services at their Moreover, it is imperative to take homes), domestic workers (servants and advantage of planners and policymakers guards), street vendors, and waste to solve this problem. pickers. The organization believes Accordingly, the present study aims that promoting a decent work requires an to review the academic literature of the integrated strategy that removes the world in this regard, and then analyze the negative dimensions of informal jobs by reasons for the presence and employment maintaining its potential for job creation of vendors in Tehran’s metro space and and income. the satisfaction of metro commuters with The World Bank has carried out various regard to vendor’s activities. Finally, researches in this field, often focusing on there are alternatives to consider. Thus, evaluating methods and the informal sector. the main questions of the research are: Along with these studies, there have 1. How satisfying are the activities of been other researchers in foreign literature, vendors and the goods provided by them such as Pena (1999), which explores the to the commuters? role and function of street vendor 2. What are the characteristics of organizations. The results indicate that female vendors and what are the reasons these organizations carry out two major to be subway vendor in Tehran? roles in negotiating and managing social 3. What are the best alternatives to capital. organize female subway vendors in Tehran? In a study published in six countries, including, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, 2- Literature Review Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa, a) Foreign Researches Mitola (2003) concluded that the workers The word “informal” was first in this sector of the economy were in introduced by Keith Hart (1973), an irregular and unprotected environments anthropologist in social sciences, in an they work not well for business. article entitled "Informal Opportunities In 2004, Jimu investigated pros and for Income and Urban Employment in cons of street vendors and indicated that Ghana." His study focused on self-employed by establishing appropriate regulations workers who failed to get the right job in and creating economic opportunities, it

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] the formal sector. He showed that high would likely to be counted as a positive inflation, insufficient wages and an factor in the socio-economic development increasing number of workers who and development of poor societies. surplus market demand led the workers to In 2011, Timaslina acknowledged the get into the informal jobs. importance of the street businesses and Until 2000, there was no significant argued that these jobs are the income literature available on the subject of street source for many poor rural comers in vending, and fewer studies were conducted urban areas, which not only have the than other sectors of the economy. opportunity to earn money for these The International Labor Office has people but also it provides low price extensive studies in this field, and the goods for lower class in the city. informal sector is divided into four 27______Urban Economics and Management

b) Iranian Researches transportation and services (Timalsina, Sadeghi Fassaei & Ajorlu (2012) in 2011). According to the actors, activities, an article examined the phenomenon of and scale are very diverse and heterogeneous vending and reasons of women’s tendency (Heinonen, 2008); but briefly, with to this phenomenon. Findings of the characteristics such as nonsupport laws, research showed that financial need, limited range of user activity, small scale women’s atmosphere, job flexibility and production, individual or family service proper income are among the factors activities, easy and free access to it, driving women to the market. According irregular market, low capital, low skill, to the results of the research, women and limited practice (Fashoyin, 2008). vendors were divided into five groups of This section is referred as shadow supervisors, co-workers, amateurs, criminals economy, underground economy, second and habitants. economy, cash economy and parallel Rostami (2014) studied the causes economy (Schneider et al., 2010). In and consequences of women’s vending in 2002, International Law Commission Tehran. This research is a descriptive- (ILC) introduced the word “informal analytic study. Using a survey method economy” in place of the foregoing and a questionnaire, 200 women were informal section to better describe the surveyed in Tehran district 12. The results scope and diversity of the phenomenon showed that there is a significant relationship around the world. Instead of providing a between the tendency toward vending and definite definition, this framework provides economic, social, personality and cultural parameters for recognizing the activities consequences for the women surveyed. of this section, which are all activities that Visian et al. (2015) studied the status are not adequately covered by formal of employees of the informal economy in arrangements in law and practice (La the city of Ghorve. Data were analyzed Hovary, 2013). A street vendor is a person using SPSS software and descriptive- who offers his goods and services but inferential statistics. The research findings does not have a permanent, structured showed that the geographical distribution location (Yatmo, 2009).These people may of this activity in the city of Ghorve is not be placed on walkways, streets and other uniform, most people working in this public and private spaces, or, as they sector do not pay taxes, and there is a carry their goods in bins, cartons, carts or

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] relationship between job dissatisfaction their hands, from one place to another. and the informal sector. (Sekar, 2008). Street vendors create a job opportunity and provide affordable goods 3-Theoretical Background and services for deprived people (Weng, Informal Economy 2013); however, these people in most Currently, informal activities are an third world countries are regarded as integral part of the urban economy, disturbing, the source of disturbance and especially in the Southern countries the visual disturbance factor of cities, and (Meneses-Reyes & Caballero-Juárez, for this reason, policies that are being 2014), which covers a wide range of developed tend to curtail their presence in economic activities in trade, commerce, urban environments with a view to creating agriculture, construction, manufacturing, a better image of the city (Yatmo, 2009). 27______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

Vending is an activity outside the segments due to the absence of almost regulatory framework of the formal and any relationship. (Ndhlovu, 2011). Given legal sector, because it is not often registered the dualistic view of informal jobs, it is in the tax system and relies on a permanent not a surprising and non-therapeutic movement. These occupations were phenomenon, but a common phenomenon initially as an ancient and important job in that, in the early stages of industrialization, almost every country, both developed and is due to the discrepancy between job developing (Recio & Gomez Jr, 2013). opportunities and labor supply. This is a But, now these jobs are more common in transitional phase towards development developing countries, and women make and will disappear when development is up a large share (Herrera et al., 2012). complete. This sector, as it generates for The debate about the nature and poor people, is also a safe ground for the composition of the informal economy has time of. This section is a feature of pre- crystallized into four major schools, as capitalist societies which disappears follows: along with the modern economy. The Theories of Informal Economy Structuralism Theory In general, over the previous decades In response to dualism, a new there has been a debate about the nature understanding emerged from the informal of the informal economy in the four main sector called structuralism theory. This schools, which are as follows: theory is also known as the Black Market Dualist Theory Theory, Underground Theory, Global The theory of dualism articulated by Systems Theory, and Portes Theory. Tokman (1978). This theory was based on Structuralism was introduced by Moser the dominant thoughts that emerged after and Castells in the late 1970s and 80s, World War II, and the recognition of they focused on analyzing production informal jobs as an expression of urban methods in the capitalist system and duality, and this was often seen in cities dependence and determinism in which it where there was a clear difference was taking place. The proponents of between formal and informal jobs, in structuralism rejected the dualism argument other words; it can be argued that this of the economic system and emphasized theory proves the existence of a primitive the way in which forms of production, sector to a modern and specialized production units, technology, and workers

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] section. (Recio & Gomez Jr, 2013). in different economic sectors were According to the theory of dualism, the merged. For example, small companies continuation of formal activities should operate in the informal sector as a be examined in light of the fact that the function and unit of the specialized units official job opportunities created for of the formal sector (Ndhlovu, 2011). employment are not adequate and This led to the fact that most employers in responsive to the gradual economic many capitalist companies have come to development and rapid urbanization. On reduce informal jobs for reducing labor this basis, the economy, due to its dual costs, increase flexibility, increase nature, consists of two traditional and competition, and protect profits by modern parts, and the formal and informal increasing government laws and changing sectors are considered to be two opposite global conditions. In this perspective, 27______Urban Economics and Management

informal employment is the result of a believed that the informal sector players capitalist process that tries to keep labor will choose to avoid additional costs, time costs down. Key policies include increasing and effort for formal registration, and the bargaining power of informal workers most of them will be made up of those through the implementation of labor who are subject to the law of ownership standards, the formation of a union, labor for the conversion of assets to formal market regulations, and the expansion of assets (Chen, 2012). In this vision, the macroeconomic policies (Avirgan et al., interests of capitalism, which De Soto 2005). In general, the structuralist school calls “Mercantilist interests”, colludes calls the informal sector as a unit of with the government to constitute function and a subset of economic units “bureaucratic rules of the game”. The such as small companies and workers supporters of conservatism argue that who serve it, in order to reduce labor costs informal economy is not necessarily the and, consequently, increase competition signal of declining in the quality of between capital companies is formed employment, and the policies pursued by (Chen, 2012). this view are promoting the transparency Legalist Theory of laws, improving the legislative The theory of legalism is articulated capacity and changing the tax system by scholars, including De Soto (1989), (Avirgan et al., 2005) Centeno and Ports (2003), Croos and Voluntary Theory Pena (2001) and Bromley (1994) (Ofori, This theory considers of informal 2007) and it is closely related to neoclassical economics as entrepreneurs who have economics and neoliberalism (La Hovary, resorted to this part of the economy in 2013). De soto argued that the emergence order to avoid taxes, commercial regulations, of the informal sector is the result of rental fees, and other costs in the formal administrative barriers and rigid rules and sector (Maloney, 2004). This theory regulations for business in the formal emphasizes that informal entrepreneurs, sector, thus becoming an additional unlike legal theory, have no problem with barrier for individuals, hence, they are the rules and procedures of registration, forced to circumvent formal rules by but are deliberately seeking to avoid working in the informal sector (Ndhlovu, regulations and taxes (Chen, 2012). 2011). According to this school, it is

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ]

22______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

Theories related to informal economy

Voluntary Legalism Structuralism Dualism

The outcome of The byproduct of Considering it as Natural process entrepreneurs’ cumbersome a dependent and transition attempt to reduce rules and function and unit stage to Bypassing the Lack of The byproduct of Dualism product strict rules relationship with employers’ effort of urban inefficiency and to reduce costs economy Due to deliberate The product of Not The feature of and organized attempt to reduce communicating pre-capitalism behaviors cost and time with the societies Problem solving by transfer from

pre-capitalism

Fig1. Theories related to informal economy

Different Approaches Related to Street these activities from the urban space, but Businesses its supporters believe that these activities Urban authorities’ response to street should be monitored, controlled, moved businesses can be categorized from absolute and allowed them to work. This view uses barring and organizing (Bhomik, 2005; four methods of licensing, ownership plans, Onyango et al, 2012). Generally, social organization-based registration, and zoning activities with illegal and unofficial labels and relocation schemes for organizing are considered from two vision. The first and distributing these people in the streets view is the rule of law, according to (Meneses-Reyes & Caballero-Juárez, 2014). informal activities which are in conflict By studying theoretical literature, the

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] with the law and must be prohibited. The approach of intervention and the attitudes second view is the viewpoint of organizing and strategies of these views for street that is more comprehensive than legislatism employment can be illustrated as Fig. 2. and its main purpose is not to eliminate

27______Urban Economics and Management

Different approaches to street jobs

Organizing Legalism

Type of approach and attitude

- Government- top to bottom approach - Cooperative organizing from - Denouncing under rules and bottom to top and vice versa regulations - Recognizing and legalizing activity - Considering handlers as criminals in certain places - Considering handlers as a source - Considering as the source of of problems such as traffic and income of the urban poor people crowd, visual confusion, increasing crime, outbreak etc.

Strategies and measures

- Issuing the license of activity - Monitoring the standard and - Full prohibition of activity product health - Considering legal punishment - Creating fixed places for activity - Sudden onslaught and destruction - Registration in related association of property or organizations - Arbitrary confiscation of goods

- Creating particular areas for them - Sexual abuse in public spaces - Bribe demand - Movement and monitoring

Fig.2. Different approaches to street jobs 4- Research Method Line 1 is intersected in seven stations The Study Area with other lines, including, Shahid Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] This research studies the phenomenon Beheshti station with line 3, Haft-e-Tir of women’s subway vending in Tehran station with the line 7(constructing), Metro. Line 1 has been selected for Darvaze-Dolat station with 4 lines, Imam studying the north and south of Tehran Khomeini station with line 2 and at the and connecting a variety of people from station of Molavi with (constructing) line 7. different locations in Tehran. Tehran This is an applied research and survey- Metropolitan Metro had four internal based. Data were collected through the metro lines (1, 2, 3 and 4) and an external distribution and analysis of semi-structured line (5) in 2015. Line 1 is 39-kilometer interviews as well as collected data through long with 29 stations starting at the secondary research and documents from station and ending at Kahrizak Station. February 13, 2016 to February 25, 2016. 27______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

This is an applied research and survey- the number of people in the sample of based which, on 12/02/2013 to 02/09/1985, women in the subway of Tehran metropolitan initial data was obtained through the area was unknown. First, 20 of the distribution and analysis of semi- questionnaires were distributed to the structured interviews and secondary commuters in a pilot way. By estimating data through library studies and the sample variance at 95% confidence documents are collected. The reason for level, the sample size was calculated using semi-structured interviews was using the following formula:

to apply the respondent’s ideas and their probable and preferential solutions that

were not available in the international

and domestic literature. In these d=0.05 interviews, questions such as the type = 0.048685 of products provided by handlers, the n=(0.048685×3.8416)/(0.0025)= place of delivery, the manner of personnel =74.811318475 dealing with these people and the problems In order to determine the sample size facing them in these occupations were open questions that related reports in the of female commuters present in the findings are presented. However, the metro, again, due to the uncertainty in the variables that belong to the characteristics size of the population, the above formula was used again. of the vendor, the view of the commuters

about the activities of the vendors on the =0.053218 subway and the reason for those who n=(0.053218×3.8416)/(0.0025)= were interested in this activity were =81.77690752 82 presented in the type of close-ended Finally, SPSS software, descriptive questions. The population study consisted and inferential statistics were used to of two groups, including, female commuters analyze the collected data. and female vendors in metro line 1 of Tehran metropolis, which was designed 5- Results for each group. Individual Characteristics of Passenger Respondents The indicators used in the structured Table 1 lists the individual characteristics interview were extracted from theoretical of the attending commuters. As you can Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] background and screened by 10 urban see, 66% of commuters are aged between planning experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient 20-39 years old in terms of age group. was used to measure the total reliability The reason for this is probably the youth of the quantitative variables. The rate for of Tehran’s population. Nearly 89 percent the 19 variables consists of 0.812 for of respondents have a diploma or higher vendors’ closed interview questions and education. In terms of employment, most 0.857 for 8 variables of closed interview of the contributing women are householders questions with commuters (0.857). According or employed in state-run jobs. More than to the coefficients which are above 0.7, 53% of respondents are married and 39% the designed questions are reliable. of them lives in district 16 and 20 of In line with the determination of the Tehran. sample size, it should also be noted that 78______Urban Economics and Management

Table1. Individual characteristics of attending travelers Respondents’ feature F Percentage Respondents’ feature F Percentage Age group Marital status 92-92 02 36.6 Single 03 46.3 02-02 92 29.3 Married 22 53.7 22-22 61 19.5 Occupation More than 50 69 14.6 Housewife 93 34.1 Education Student 62 17.1 Illiterate 2 2 State job 93 34.1 Elementary 2 4.9 Self-employed 3 9.8 Secondary 1 7.3 Jobless 2 4.9 Diploma 61 19.5 Residence area A.A 69 14.6 North areas (districts 1 and 2) 92 29.3 Bachelor 99 26.8 Central areas (districts 6, 7, and 12) 91 31.7 Higher 99 26.8 Southern areas (districts 16 and 20) 09 02

Individual Characteristic of Vendors their birthplace, with 64% of them born In Table 2, the individual characteristics outside of Tehran. This suggests that most of the attendees participating in the of these commuters are young job seekers survey are presented. More than 54 who come from Tehran from the villages percent of female street vendors in the and small towns of the country. Another metro form young people ages 20-39. remarkable thing is the relatively high More than 68 percent of them are married education of these people, with nearly and 66 percent are householders. A 69% of them having a diploma or higher. remarkable point about these people is

Table2. Individual characteristics of vendors participating in the survey Respondents’ feature F Percentage Respondents’ feature F Percentage Age group Marital status 62-62 9 2.7 Single 69 61 92-92 92 92 Married 26 13 02-02 92 92 Divorced 69 61 22-22 2 2 Education More than 50 62 62 Illiterate 1 3 Dependency condition Elementary 60 17.3 Household 22 66.7 Secondary 1 3 Under supervision 92 33.3 Diploma 06 41.3

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] Birth place Associate 2 69 Tehran 92 01 Bachelor 3 10.7 Outside of Tehran 23 12 Main job - - - Vending in metro 12 29 - - - Other cases 1 3

Commuters’ Satisfaction to the Activities average of all variables is higher than 3 of Vendors in Metro (mid-range points), it can be argued that To measure the satisfaction of commuters commuters are relatively satisfied with with the presence and activity of vendors the presence and activity of vendors in the in the metro space, the variables described in metro space. Table 3 were used. Considering that the

78______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

Table3. Satisfaction of commuters with regard to the activities of vendors in the subway Satisfaction of commuters with the presence and Standard Average T d.f p-value activity of vendors in the subway deviation Buying from vendors saves the time 3.51 0.118 29.764 81 0.000 Buying from vendor saves the cost 3.26 0.125 26.107 81 0.000 The presence of vendors in the subway does not disturb 3.36 0.17 19.847 81 0.000 The respondent does not agree with removing the 3.40 0.168 18.131 81 0.000 vendors from the subway

In order to measure the commuters’ of scores), it can be said that the commuters satisfaction with the product offered by have a fairly high satisfaction with the subway vendors, four variables of quality, goods offered by the vendors. health, diversity, and price of the product This part of the findings, which has were used according to Table 4. The been analyzed in response to the first results show that the highest satisfaction question of the research, suggests that with the price of these products and the commuters are not opposed to the presence lowest is the quality and health of these of street vendors in the metro space and products. But given the fact that the are satisfied with the products provided average of the index (total of 4 variables) by them. is 3.064 and more than 3 (average range

Table4. Satisfaction of commuters with products provided by vendors

Standard Satisfaction of commuters with the supplied goods Average T d.f p-value deviation Health of supplied goods 2.73 0.971 26.979 81 0.000 It was cheaper than the one on the official market 3.85 1.032 33.819 81 0.000 The high quality of the goods supplied is similar to 2.61 1.015 23.274 81 0.000 that of the official market High variety of goods supplied 3.07 0.953 29.202 81 0.000

Characteristics and Reasons of Female needs of customers. These people work Vending in the Case Study from 7 to 21 in the subway, but on average Female vendors in the subway provide the peak hours are between 10 and 20. Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] a wide range of products, including all 58.7% of vendors are weekly, 26.7% six kinds of clothing, junk foods and snacks, days, and 14.7% are sparse during the types of sanitary/hygienic products, types week. 78% are always in the regular line of jewelry, some kitchen appliances, (line 1), but 21.3%, according to the electronic accessories and a variety of conditions, change their line during their writing supplies to be sold in the subway. activity, 66.7% always sell the same The findings show that vendors often goods, but 33.3% sell different goods offer these products, which most of them according to the conditions. are Chinese products, from major stores Based on the views of the vendors, in “Panzdah-E-Khordad” Market, and are none of the questioners is working for the not sure about their standard. These goods organization, certain person or in a group are changed according to seasons and the and in partnership with a particular 77______Urban Economics and Management

person or individuals, and their activities The reasons for choosing this job are considered as self-employed. 52.8% from the vendors, which was presented in of these people have had other jobs before the second question of research, were being employed on the subway, which based on six main reasons, which, according has been fired, or for some reason lost to Table 5, are the most important ones, their jobs. 92% of them said that the lacking sufficient capital to start the vending in the subway is their main job formal business, and other reasons based and earn all their income through the same on averages for each item are: lack of job. Nevertheless, 2.8% of these people, in proper job in the formal sector, tax evasion addition to being a vendor as their main and extra costs, lack of skill for other occupation, have a second job. None of businesses, relatively decent income from the respondents had ever been on the street this occupation compared to other businesses, before being employed in the subway and and ultimately interested in this job. only 2.77% had a history of drug use.

Table5. The reasons for choosing a vending as a job by female vendors on the subway Standard The reason for choosing street vending job Average T d.f p-value deviation Avoid paying taxes and additional costs 3.53 0.114 30.879 74 0.000 Failure to find a job in the formal sector 4.12 0.149 27.572 74 0.000 Lack of skills to deal with other businesses 2.85 0.19 14.979 74 0.000 Not having enough capital to start the formal business 4.82 0.064 75.394 74 0.000 Interested in the job 2.56 0.153 16.207 74 0.000 Sufficient income provided by the job 2.8 0.102 27.39 74 0.000

The Solutions for Organizing Female necessary legal framework for its Vendors implementation) and the executive branch Considering the rapid growth of (especially the municipality of the regions) Tehran’s urban population and the fact to implement it. that the formal economy of our cities will These approaches, which are shown face significant challenges in attracting all in Table 6, were shared with the participants active groups of society, at least over the and were asked to comment on their next decade, the necessity of management desire for each one. The results of this and planning for the informal economy table, in response to the third question of Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] seem inevitable. One of the main obstacles research, indicate that vendors are often to organize vendors of Tehran’s metropolitan willing to obtain a license allowing them subway is the lack of clarity of the custodians. to operate within subway carriages, and In this research, it has been tried to subsequently willing to receive low-yield identify the different approaches taken by loans for leasing or buying a store and the officials of other countries in order to booth in the space of the stations. In organize these occupations, considering addition, the results indicate that they are the theoretical frameworks and background not willing to leave subway and create of the study. Realization of the proposed markets for their activities. It can be approaches depends on the cooperation argued that subway vendors are not between the legislature (to provide the interested in leaving the subway. 77______An Investigation on the Phenomenon of Women Vendors in Tehran’s Metro

Table6. Organizing subway vendors Standard Alternatives for organizing vendors Average T d.f p-value deviation Licensing 4.56 0.642 61.532 74 0.000 Long-term rental booths at metro stations 3.76 0.898 36.256 74 0.000 Moving from the subway and creating markets for activity 2.34 1.007 20.186 74 0.000 Creating special sales areas in different parts of Tehran 3.13 1.266 21.428 74 0.000 providing low interest loans to rent or purchase a shop and booth 4.17 0.795 45.473 74 0.000 Establishing organizations and membership 3.3 1.059 27.369 74 0.000 Developing employment in other cities of Iran 2.36 0.981 20.825 74 0.000 Creating small businesses in Tehran 3.76 0.836 38.965 74 0.000 Increasing the capacity and training vendors to enter the 2.93 0.684 37.115 74 0.000 formal sector of economy

6- Conclusion and Discussion source of many problems, including One of the greatest challenges faced traffic congestion, visual disturbance, by urban managers and planners in the increased crime and the spread of illness. third millennium is the expansion of Advocates of this view suggest preventing informal employment (especially vending) activities of these individuals and actions for various reasons, including rapid such as confiscation of property and urbanization, weakness and low capacity taking punishment, etc. In contrast to this of urban economy in the south and greed view, there is an organization perspective for profits are in advanced industrial that emphasizes the monitoring, control, nations. displacement and correction of this There are many theories about the activity that are in accordance with the nature and reasons for the expansion of results of Bhowmik (2005), Joseph the informal economy. The theory of (2011), and Timalsina (2007 & 2011). dualism calls it a natural process and a Vending is often their main occupation, transitional phase towards a developed and the items supplied by them are very society. While structuralism, legalism, diverse and are mostly in the regular line. and voluntarism, similarly, consider The most important reason for choosing informal economy views as an unrelated this job is their lack of capital and lack of phenomenon to the economic weaknesses, proper employment in the formal sector it is considered as a deliberate act to of the economy, which should be noted Downloaded from iueam.ir at 17:47 +0430 on Monday August 20th 2018 [ DOI: 10.29252/iueam.6.21.67 ] evade tax, tough and cumbersome laws, that the results of this section are also in and to increase profit and competitiveness. line with the background of the study Approaches and reactions of urban (Mitullah, 2003). Urban authorities are planners and policymakers to the more closely aligned with the viewpoint phenomenon of vending can be summarized of legalism in solving the shopping in the framework of the two views of challenge in Tehran Metro, and they have legalism and organizing it. a low level of job security. In the first approach, the phenomenon Finally, the ways of organizing of street vending is considered to be an vending in Tehran were reviewed from illegal activity and is seen as a law- the viewpoint of the vendors. The abiding and criminal offender who is the findings showed that respondents are 77______Urban Economics and Management

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