Re-visiting car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector

Bibliographic Data

ID21540965
AuthorsJohn Foster (0000-0002-7662-8203, Varsity College, Durban, South Africa), Mihalis Chasomeris (0000-0003-0920-7537, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Derick Blaauw (0000-0001-8750-4946, North-West University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume38
Issue5
Pages769-784
Publication date2021-09-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopment Southern Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0376-835X • E-ISSN: 1470-3637
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0376835x.2021.1891862
OpenAlexW3138072676
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

This study aims to examine how car guarding remains a sustainable means of livelihood in the informal sector. The study interviewed 30 car guards at six different locations in Durban, South Africa. It examined their demographic characteristics, income, education and skills, among other factors. Furthermore, it compares the findings from 2019 with the 2015 findings from Foster and Chasomeris (2017, Examining car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector. Local Economy 32(6), 525–538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094217727990). The findings show deterioration in the real income levels and livelihoods. In 2015, 22 car guards earned above a domestic worker’s minimum hourly wage of ZAR15, compared to 16 car guards in 2019 and, only eight above the national minimum wage of ZAR20 per hour. There is a notable decline in expenditure on accommodation and reduced optimism about their future. Car guards still display a level of entrepreneurship, especially where daily bay fees are not paid to car guarding agents

Accommodation · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Informal sector · Labour economics · Livelihood · Minimum wage · Socioeconomics · Wage · Employment and Welfare Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology of Social Influence

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